Hong Myung-bo has stepped down as head coach of South Korea's men's national football team following the side's failure to progress beyond the group stage at the FIFA World Cup.

South Korea recorded two defeats and one victory in the tournament, finishing third in Group A behind Mexico and South Africa — ranked 15th and 60th respectively by FIFA, compared to South Korea's 32nd. The team's final group match, a 1-0 loss to South Africa on Thursday, ended any realistic chance of qualification for the knockout round as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Hong announced his resignation at a news conference in western Mexico. "We didn't deliver the results that our fans expected," he said. He also offered a personal apology to supporters, stating that responsibility "rests entirely with me as head coach."

Despite his departure, Hong struck a conciliatory tone. "Even though I am leaving the national team, I am not abandoning Korean football altogether," he said. "I will cheer for the national team from the bottom of my heart and hope that the team will be trusted and loved by the people once again."

Presidential scrutiny and controversy

The early exit has drawn sharp political reaction. President Lee Jae-myung expressed that he felt "not just confusion but utter bewilderment at the unexpected outcome" and called for a formal investigation into the team's performance. In a post on X, Lee suggested the elimination "appears to be a failure of organisation and personnel," adding that "when favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper."

Hong's appointment was contentious from the moment it was announced in 2024. A decorated figure in South Korean football — he captained the nation to a historic semi-final at the 2002 World Cup — Hong had previously coached the team at the 2014 World Cup, where they also failed to win a match or advance from the group stage. His reappointment last year drew fierce criticism from fans who accused the Korea Football Association of bypassing qualified foreign-born candidates who had gone through a rigorous vetting process in favour of an insider.

On Sunday, Hong acknowledged the weight of the decision. "Accepting the job was not an easy choice," he said. "I cannot say every decision has been the right one, but I can tell you that I have made every decision with Korean football in mind."

Security concerns on return

South Korea's star forward Son Heung-min and his teammates return home under a shadow. Local media reported that South Korean police are monitoring Incheon Airport and other locations following an online death threat made against Hong ahead of his return to the country over the weekend.

The tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams introduced a new rule allowing the eight best third-placed sides to advance — a lifeline South Korea ultimately could not grasp.