Head coach Hong Myung-bo of the Korea men's national soccer team took responsibility for failing to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup and resigned voluntarily.
On the morning of the 28th (local time), Hong told reporters at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, the national team's base-camp training ground, that he would step down. He said, "I am truly sorry to the people who have loved Korea's soccer and always supported the national team," and added, "I intend to resign as national team head coach today."
It came the very next day after the team's group-stage elimination was confirmed.
Hong said that day, "The position of national team head coach was never an easy decision for me," adding, "But from the moment I decided to take the job, I did not think about any other reason. Fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me to the end—that was the only thing I believed I had to do."
He continued, "For the past two years, I have always asked myself the same question," noting, "When making important decisions for the national team, when selecting players, when preparing training and playing matches, I never let go of this question: 'Is this choice a choice for Korea's soccer?'"
He added, "I cannot say that every judgment was always right," and said, "But the standard for every judgment was always Korea's soccer."
Hong said, "Although I am stepping down as national team head coach today, I am not laying down my passion for Korea's soccer," adding, "I will sincerely support our national team to grow again into a team that can earn the trust and love of the people."
Hong took the helm of the national team on Jul. 8, 2024, and his term was set through the 2027 Asian Cup in January next year.
With the failure to reach the World Cup round of 32, he is leaving roughly half a year early.
Under Hong, the national team finished third in Group K, a position that could not secure progression on its own. It was then pushed outside eighth place—the cutoff for the round of 32—in the inter-team ranking battle, confirming elimination.
This is the first time in eight years, since the 2018 Russia World Cup, that Korea has failed to advance from the World Cup group stage. Korea finished the tournament in 34th place.
This North and Central America World Cup is the first tournament in which the number of participating countries expanded from 32 to 48. Even so, Korea failed to get through the group stage, producing a disappointing result tantamount to failing to qualify for the finals under the previous 32-team format.
Below is the full text of Hong's statement.
Hello. First, I want to say I am truly sorry to the people who have loved Korea's soccer and always supported the national team.
Today I intend to step down as head coach of the Korea men's national soccer team. The position of national team head coach was never an easy decision for me.
However, from the moment I decided to take the job, I did not think about any other reason. To fulfill the responsibility entrusted to me to the end—that was the only thing I believed I had to do.
For the past two years, I have always asked myself the same question: "Is this choice a choice for Korea's soccer?" When making important decisions for the national team, when selecting players, when preparing training and playing matches, I never let go of that question.
I cannot say that every judgment was always right. But the standard for all of my judgments was always Korea's soccer.
I believe the position of head coach is one where no explanation can stand in front of the results. So today I stand here to speak of responsibility rather than explanation.
I ultimately failed to deliver the result the people expected. All responsibility lies with me as the head coach.
I am sincerely grateful to the players who stayed with me until the end, the coaching staff, the support staff, and everyone who silently dedicated themselves to the national team.
Today I am stepping down from the position of national team head coach. But I am not laying down my passion for Korea's soccer.
I will sincerely support our national team to grow again into a team that can earn the people's trust and love. Thank you.