South Korea eliminated from World Cup as last hopes fade

South Korea's World Cup campaign under coach Hong Myung-bo ended in elimination Sunday after the team failed to advance from the group stage on its own and then saw its remaining scenarios disappear.

The Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in a come-from-behind victory in their Group K finale at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday (Korean Standard Time), finishing third in the group with four points and securing a round-of-32 berth.

That result ended South Korea's tournament. The Taeguk Warriors had finished third in Group A with three points and a goal difference of minus-one, waiting on results from other groups. With Congo's advancement, Korea's path to the round of 32 was closed regardless of the outcome of the remaining Group J match between Austria and Algeria.

When South Korea's group stage concluded, the team sat fourth among all third-place finishers. Three of nine possible scenarios would have been enough to send Korea through — a seemingly favorable position. But as eight of those situations were resolved, only one broke in Korea's favor.

It is the first time South Korea has failed to advance from the World Cup group stage since the 2018 tournament in Russia, eight years ago. Hong's side had been chasing a third overall and second consecutive away-tournament round-of-16 finish, following appearances in the last 16 at the 2010 South Africa and 2022 Qatar tournaments, but fell short.

Sunday's elimination was the ninth time South Korea has gone out in the World Cup group stage, following exits at the 1954 Switzerland, 1986 Mexico, 1990 Italy, 1994 United States, 1998 France, 2006 Germany, 2014 Brazil and 2018 Russia tournaments.

Korea will finish the tournament ranked either 33rd or 34th, depending on the outcome of the Group J finale.

This edition marks the first World Cup expanded to 48 participating nations. Measured against the old 32-team format, the result is the equivalent of failing to qualify for the tournament at all.