Hong Myung-bo resigned as the head coach of the South Korea men’s national football team on June 29, 2026 [1].
The resignation marks a significant leadership shift for the national squad following a disappointing performance on the world stage. The departure comes as the Korea Football Association seeks to address the team's inability to compete in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
During a press conference in Seoul, Hong said he took responsibility for the team's failure to advance beyond the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2]. South Korea failed to qualify for the round of 32 [3], a result that fell short of national expectations for the tournament.
"I am sincerely sorry," Hong said in a statement delivered via Arirang News.
The announcement occurred on Monday, one day after the team's official elimination from the competition [1]. Hong's tenure ended abruptly after the squad could not secure the points necessary to move forward in the bracket [3].
The coach's decision to step down follows a pattern of high accountability in South Korean football, where head coaches often resign following poor international showings. The vacancy now leaves the national team without a leader as they begin the cycle of rebuilding for future competitions.
Supporters and analysts had hoped the 2026 campaign would see a deep run, but the early exit ensured the team did not reach the second stage of the tournament [2]. Hong's resignation is the final step in a campaign that ended prematurely in the group phase [2].
“"I am sincerely sorry."”
The resignation of Hong Myung-bo reflects the intense pressure on the South Korean national team to maintain a global presence. By failing to reach the round of 32, the team missed a critical benchmark for success in the expanded World Cup format, making a leadership change inevitable to appease public and athletic expectations.
