Ahn Jung-hwan (50), a former member of Korea's men's national soccer team who became a broadcasting personality and a key figure in the 2002 World Cup run, hit back at criticism of Coach Hong Myung-bo's early substitution of Son Heung-min in the match against Mexico.
On the 19th (Korea time), in the second Group A match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) North and Central America and Caribbean World Cup group stage, Coach Hong substituted Son Heung-min in the 12th minute of the second half with the team trailing 1-0 and brought on Oh Hyun-gyu.
As a result, criticism emerged at home and abroad that the substitution was inappropriate. Domestic figures who are former national team players, including Park Joo-ho, Lee Cheon-soo and Lee Keun-ho, as well as Hotspur HQ, a club-specialized outlet that covered the team Son Heung-min played for, also expressed regret over the move.
On the 22nd, on TikTok's "Tiki Tiki Taka Talk Talk Show," Ahn Jung-hwan said, "People ask why Son Heung-min was taken off early," adding, "If Cho Gyu-seong's header had gone in, everyone would have said 'this is it' and applauded." He continued, "You shouldn't just say things recklessly like that," and said it was "the number one thing not to do."
Cho Gyu-seong came on in the 32nd minute of the second half to replace Baek Seung-ho. In the 42nd minute, Cho met Eom Ji-sung's cross with a header and aimed for goal, but was denied by goalkeeper Raul Rangel. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, he again met Lee Kang-in's cross with a header and aimed for goal, but that also did not result in a goal.
Ahn Jung-hwan said, "Ordinary fans can say that (the substitution was inappropriate), but people who haven't done anything make a fuss in a strange way," adding, "I'm on the national team's side, not Coach Hong's side. I want the younger players to do well." He went on, "What I hate most is trying to draw attention with something that hasn't even happened," adding, "Players (who hear that kind of talk) get hurt."
The day before (the 22nd), Coach Hong also addressed the continuing criticism of Son Heung-min's early substitution. Coach Hong said, "The substitution was to get an equalizer," adding, "In the first half, the pressure from the (opponent's) back line was intense, so we couldn't show what we wanted." He continued, explaining the reasoning, "Since we needed a goal, it seemed better to bring on a player who was a bit fresher."