Hong Myung-bo resigns after World Cup exit and presidential blast

Hong Myung-bo resigns after World Cup exit

Hong Myung-bo is out. The South Korea head coach resigned Sunday, one day after the team's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup was confirmed (2) (3). The decision came hours after South Korea's president publicly called him an "incompetent commander" and demanded a government investigation into the early elimination (1).

Your team went three matches without scoring a goal. A 1–0 loss to Mexico, another defeat to Czechia, and the door shut before the South Africa match could even matter. Hong carried the can.

The president's words made the position untenable

President Lee did not hold back. He called Hong an "incompetent commander" and called for a government inquiry into how the World Cup campaign was handled (1). The public dressing-down left no room to manoeuvre. Hong resigned within the day (2) (3).

Fan reactions

The outrage is everywhere. South Korean fans have put up "No entry for Hong Myung-bo" signs at convenience stores and BBQ restaurants across the country, banning the now-former coach from entering. It is a brutal but unmistakably clear verdict on how the nation feels. See the signs here