South Korea's national football team faced severe criticism on Sunday after being officially eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reigniting public scrutiny over the appointment process and tactical leadership of head coach Hong Myung-bo.
The team finished 34th in the tournament with only three points from a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic and losses to Mexico and South Africa.
Their elimination was confirmed when the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1, ending South Korea's hopes of advancing as one of the best third-place teams.
Despite a squad valued at 256 billion won ($167 million), including Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in valued at 49.5 billion won, the team struggled with tactical cohesion.
Critics questioned the decision to bench captain Son Heung-min during the crucial match against South Africa.
South Africa manager Hugo Broos highlighted tactical discrepancies, saying his team was "better tactically" and that Korea's playing style had been predictable.
Domestic commentators echoed these concerns, noting a lack of structure and coordination.
"It was a difficult match where it was even hard to tell what the tactical direction was," said commentator Lee Young-pyo, who played alongside Hong in the 2002 World Cup.
Veteran media analyst Park Moon-sung added, "There was no promised play when a player held the ball.
There was no attacking pattern, no tactic, and they just stood there."
Hong's post-match remarks further intensified public dissatisfaction.
"The coaches and I are also dumbfounded as to why we performed so weakly," he said on Friday, adding that players became impatient when things did not work out.
The controversy surrounding Hong dates back to his 2024 appointment by the Korea Football Association, which bypassed standard interview procedures.
This prompted a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism investigation that recommended punitive actions against KFA President Chung Mong-gyu.
Political figures have since demanded a complete systemic overhaul of the national governing body.
"Tragedies do not repeat by chance. They repeat when a flawed system is in place," said six-term Rep.
Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday.
