Hong Myungbo has announced his resignation as the coach of South Korea following the team’s elimination from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite a strong start with a 2-1 win against Czechia, South Korea faced defeats against Mexico and South Africa, leading to their exit from the tournament.
Taking full responsibility for the team’s performance, Hong, who had been in charge since 2024, expressed his regret to the Korean fans and officially declared his decision to step down during a press conference. He emphasized his commitment to accountability and stated that stepping down was a difficult but necessary choice for him.
Having previously led South Korea in 2013 and 2014, Hong, aged 57, leaves his role with a record of 15 wins, five draws, and six losses during his second stint as coach. Despite the disappointing World Cup campaign, he expressed gratitude to his coaching staff and affirmed his continued support for Korean football’s future development.
