The South Korea national football team returned home Tuesday morning following their failure to qualify for the World Cup round of 32 [1].
The early exit marks a significant disappointment for a nation with high expectations for the 2026 North America & Central America World Cup. The resulting public anger highlights a deep rift between the supporters and the team's leadership.
Approximately 100 fans gathered at Incheon International Airport to express their frustration [1]. The crowd targeted former head coach Hong Myung-bo, shouting "Hong Myung-bo, get out" as the delegation arrived [1]. Reporter Lee Jung-mi said the airport was filled with football fans consumed by anger since the early morning hours [1].
The team's aircraft landed 45 minutes early according to the scheduled arrival time [1]. Among the nine players who returned on the flight were Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae [1].
The atmosphere remained tense as the players and staff navigated the terminal. While the players maintained solemn expressions, the focus of the protests remained on the coaching staff's failure to advance the team beyond the group stage [1].
This return flight on June 30, 2026, serves as the final chapter of a campaign that ended prematurely [1]. The vocal opposition at the airport reflects a broader demand for accountability within the national team's management structure.
“"Hong Myung-bo, get out"”
The hostile reception of Hong Myung-bo suggests that the failure to reach the round of 32 is viewed not as a lack of player talent, but as a failure of tactical leadership. With star players like Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae in the squad, the group stage elimination creates immense pressure on the Korean football federation to restructure its coaching philosophy to avoid similar results in future tournaments.
