Hong myungbo

FIFA World Cup: Hong Myungbo announced he will be stepping down as South Korea coach, the day after it was confirmed that the team had failed to make it past the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Czechia but then suffered successive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and South Africa. Their fate was out of their hands as the group stage concluded on June 28 (IST).

Hong, who had been in charge since 2024, said he took “all responsibilities” for the team's unsuccessful World Cup, which came after an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the global showpiece.