After losing in the final group match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup group stage organized by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Korea's national soccer players, who failed to clinch an automatic berth in the round of 32, expressed repeated apologies.
On the 25th (Korea time), the team led by coach Hong Myung-bo lost 1-0 in Group A's third group match against South Africa at Estadio de Monterrey in Mexico.
Kim Min-jae (30, FC Bayern Munich), who wore the captain's armband, told reporters in the mixed zone right after the match, "I have nothing to say but that I'm sorry."
"The fans really created a home-game atmosphere. We lost when a draw would have taken us through," he said.
Kim said, "I didn't play while calculating the scenarios, but we couldn't even draw," expressing regret, but added, "We should only dwell on it until today."
He added, "There might still be a chance to play another match," and "I told the players to prepare well for that time."
He also said, "There will be things the players felt from today's game," and "If we get a chance to play the next game, we really have to pour everything into it."
Son Heung-min (34, LA FC), who for the first time was not named to the World Cup starting lineup, said, "I'm very disappointed, heartbroken and upset."
"There was no problem with the team atmosphere, and everyone worked hard, but the game turned out like this," he said. "We have to look closely at what went wrong."
Regarding not starting, he said, "The coach did speak to me," but added, "Watching the team lose and not being able to help much even on the field makes me feel very sorry."
Son also said, "We didn't want to be in a situation where we're calculating the possibility of reaching the round of 32 as third in the group," adding, "It's a shame, but it's out of our hands now, so we have to accept whatever result comes."
Hwang In-beom (30, Feyenoord Rotterdam) said, "Whatever I say will sound like an excuse," adding, "We lost because we were lacking a lot, so we have to yearn even more for the next chance."
He said, "From early in the morning in Korea and here locally, many people cheered for us, but with our defeat it became a situation nobody wanted," adding, "I'm very disappointed and sorry."
Hwang said, "We don't know if the next chance will come, but among the players we said we should believe it will come again and prepare well."
He added, "Many people must be disappointed, but if we are given the next chance, I hope you will cheer for us as always. We will make sure to repay your support."
Lee Kang-in (25, Paris Saint-Germain FC) said, "Many fans supported us, but I'm sorry we couldn't repay them," adding, "We all have to reflect a lot, and I also think I wasn't good enough."
He added, "I do hope to reach the round of 32," and "Over the next two to three days, I hope all the luck comes our way. We'll reflect well and prepare so games like this don't happen again."
Jens Castrop (22, Borussia Mönchengladbach), a naturalized player born overseas who made his World Cup debut, said, "I'm really disappointed," adding, "On the goal we conceded, when the opponent shot, I failed to close my legs in time and allowed the goal."
While the Korea team was conducting interviews with reporters in the mixed zone, tensions flared when South Africa players arrived singing loudly.
As the noise grew to the point that interviews could not proceed normally, reporters asked the South Africa delegation to be quiet, but their celebration continued loudly.
Eventually, Hwang In-beom raised his voice, saying, "Please be respectful," and the situation settled as on-site officials began to restrain them. Under FIFA regulations, there are reportedly no rules regarding noise when passing through the mixed zone.