South Korea Faces Calls for Football Reform After Early FIFA World Cup Exit
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
South Korea’s disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup has triggered widespread criticism, with football officials facing growing pressure to introduce major changes following the team’s group-stage elimination.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after South Korea failed to reach the knockout rounds, despite entering the tournament with high expectations. The team narrowly missed qualification after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat to South Africa in their final group match.
South Korea, which famously reached the World Cup semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic before losing 1-0 to co-host Mexico. Needing only a draw against South Africa to progress, they were unable to secure the required result.
The disappointing campaign sparked strong reactions across the country. President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over the team’s performance and called for greater accountability within South Korean football, saying improvements are needed at the administrative level.
Former captain Park Ji-sung also urged officials to reflect on the long-term direction of the sport.
“We have to look back and understand why we have reached this point. The lessons learned over the years should not be forgotten,” he said.
Hong Myung-bo had already been under pressure since returning as national team coach in 2024. His appointment drew criticism from some fans and analysts, who questioned the selection process.
During the decisive match against South Africa, Hong chose to leave captain Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup, a decision that received significant attention after the defeat.
Former international Lee Chun-soo described the World Cup exit as a signal that meaningful changes are needed throughout South Korean football.
Meanwhile, attention has also turned to Korea Football Association (KFA) president Chung Mong-gyu. Chung previously indicated that he would step down after the World Cup following criticism of his leadership during his lengthy tenure.
Questions also remain over the international future of captain Son Heung-min, who turns 34 next month. The experienced forward has previously suggested that retirement from international football could be an option.
As South Korea reflects on another disappointing World Cup campaign, many former players and supporters believe the focus should now shift toward rebuilding the national team and creating a stronger foundation for future tournaments.
