South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign concluded at the group stage on Saturday, and the result could lead to the international retirement of captain Son Heung-min. After three days of anxious waiting to see if they would advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams, results went against South Korea, sending them home.
Group Stage Performance
Hong Myung-bo's side had a chance to reach the last 32 but suffered a shock 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa on Wednesday. Hong surprised many by dropping attacking talisman Son to the bench, a gamble that backfired. South Korea finished third in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, having also lost 1-0 to Mexico. They beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to start their World Cup, but that was the only highlight for the much-maligned Hong and the fading Son.
Fierce Criticism at Home
Criticism back home has been intense, with Hong firmly in the firing line. Yonhap News Agency called South Korea's premature exit "dismal." "The national team suffered the humiliation of a 2026 World Cup group-stage exit after three days of agonising hope," Yonhap said. A headline in Newsis read: "Fortune deserts Hong Myung-bo's side."
Son Heung-min's Future
Son's tournament was overshadowed by a row between the squad and local media, and a drone buzzed a crucial training session before the Mexico defeat. Former Tottenham attacker Son, who now plays for Los Angeles FC, has hinted at international retirement. The daily Sports Chosun expects this to be the end for the player who has carried South Korea so often and scored 56 goals for his country. "Son Heung-min's final World Cup ends in heartbreak," a headline said. He turns 34 next month.
Presidential Reaction
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung weighed in on the team's elimination, targeting head coach Hong and questioning the selection process. "When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable," Lee said in a post on X. "I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment caused by this unacceptable outcome," he added. "We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again," he said, without elaborating.
