Hong Myung-bo ruins two World Cups

Hong Myung-bo has become the only coach in history to lead South Korea's national team at two World Cups — and to exit in the group stage both times. Calls for his resignation or dismissal are already mounting as the brief excitement of the tournament gives way to a reckoning.

South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses at the 2026 North America World Cup. The top eight third-place finishers across 12 groups could advance to the round of 32, but South Korea's fate depended on other results — and that slim hope vanished Sunday, the final day of group play.

As a player, Hong competed in four consecutive World Cups from the 1990 Italy tournament through the 2002 Korea-Japan edition. He was particularly celebrated as one of the key figures behind South Korea's historic semifinal run in 2002.

As a coach, he served as an assistant to Dutch manager Dick Advocaat at the 2006 Germany tournament. He first took charge of the national team at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, then returned to lead the side again 12 years later at this year's North America edition.

Hong is the only manager to have guided South Korea — now at their 12th World Cup overall and 11th consecutive — at two separate tournaments. His return was widely considered highly unusual, given that his first stint ended in failure at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, where he went winless with one draw and two losses amid controversy over his "loyalty football" selections.

Not even Guus Hiddink, who led South Korea to the semifinals, nor Paulo Bento, who delivered the country's first round-of-16 finish at an away World Cup at the 2022 Qatar tournament, were given a second chance.

When Hong was reappointed in July 2024, the selection process drew fierce criticism and left deep wounds in Korean football. In hindsight, resigning at the height of that controversy might have preserved the honor and reputation he had built as a player.

The draw, at least, was kind to him. South Korea were placed alongside Czech Republic and South Africa, considered among the weakest teams in the tournament. Spirits were high after a 2-1 comeback victory over Czech Republic in the opening group match.

That win made Hong only the second Korean manager to record a World Cup victory, after Shin Tae-yong at the 2018 Russia tournament. One more win would have made him the first Korean coach to claim two World Cup victories. Instead, a 0-1 defeat to co-host Mexico was followed by a listless 0-1 loss to South Africa — the group's other supposed minnow — and Hong's World Cup story was over.

The road ahead looks even thornier for Hong. Sport always carries an element of luck, and winners and losers are part of the game. But the public and those in the sport are struggling to accept this outcome given that Hong had arguably the strongest squad in South Korean history — Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu among them — and drew what many considered the most favorable group possible.

Criticism of Hong has been boiling over since the limp defeat to South Africa. Signs reading "Hong Myung-bo not allowed entry" appeared on convenience store glass doors, and a formal petition calling for his immediate dismissal — and for rules to nullify coaching appointments made in violation of proper procedures — was registered on the National Assembly's public petition website.

Amid the uproar, remarks Hong made during a National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing at the time of his 2024 appointment have resurfaced. "I don't believe I received any preferential treatment," he said, adding, "I have no intention of resigning over this issue." He also said: "I didn't think I would feel the same sense of responsibility and mission I had 10 years ago, but after the interview I decided to offer one last service."

His salary has also drawn fire. Global sports salary analysis outlet Salary Leaks estimated Hong's annual pay at around 2.16 million euros ($2.46 million), or about 3.8 billion won — far above the roughly 2 billion won ($1.29 million) previously reported. The gap has only deepened public resentment, with many asking whether a "3.8-billion-won act of service" makes any sense.