Angry South Korean football fans shouted insults and booed head coach Hong Myung-bo and nine players at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday morning [1].
The volatile reception underscores the deep national disappointment following the team's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The level of public anger has escalated from sporting disappointment to a demand for systemic accountability within the national program.
Coach Hong and nine members of the 26-player squad landed at approximately 4 a.m. local time [1], [2]. The arrival occurred the morning after the team's group-stage elimination on Sunday, June 28 [4]. Heavy security was required to manage the crowd, which included supporters wielding drums and displaying a protest banner [3].
Some fans directed their anger specifically at the leadership, with one supporter shouting, "Hong Myung-bo, get out!" [1]. The frustration extends to the highest levels of government. President Yoon Suk-yeol said the team's performance was "disgraceful" and demanded accountability [3].
The players also expressed deep emotional distress over the result. Son Heung-min said, "It hurts my heart; I feel absolute heartache after this loss" [5].
Reports regarding the coach's current status vary. While some sources indicate Hong was met by protesters upon arrival [1], [3], other reports suggest he quit following the early exit [2]. The team's arrival was staggered, with only nine of the 26 players landing in the first wave with the coach [1].
“"Hong Myung-bo, get out!"”
The intense reaction at Incheon Airport reflects the cultural weight of the national team in South Korea, where football performance is often viewed as a matter of national prestige. The involvement of the presidency and the organized nature of the airport protests suggest that the fallout will likely lead to a significant restructuring of the coaching staff and potential leadership changes within the football association.
