Chosun Newspaper: 'Even Heaven and Earth Indifferent to South Korea Team'
South Korea media slam home team, especially coach Hong Myung-bo, after 2026 World Cup group stage exit.
South Korea start strong with 2-1 comeback win against Czech Republic. Disappoint later, lose 0-1 to Mexico and South Africa. Rely on wildcard spot. Tournament format: top two each group plus eight best third-place teams reach round of 16.
Bad results hit South Korea. Uzbekistan 1-3 comeback loss to DR Congo on June 27 seal fate. Star News Korea report: "Players watch match anxious, collapse completely. Suffer humiliation, fate decided by other teams, not own effort."
South Korea player Lee Gi-hyeok (3) disappointed after 0-1 loss to South Africa in final Group A match, World Cup 2026, Monterrey stadium, Mexico, June 24, 2026. Photo: AP
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After South Africa loss, stats firms predict South Korea 90% chance to advance. Reality hit remaining 10%. Media say luck desert coach Hong Myung-bo team.
Sports Chosun comment: "Even heaven and earth indifferent to South Korea team. Miss every advance scenario, crush fan hope."
MK Sports call this most disastrous tournament. Squad deemed strongest since 2002, with stars Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, end with "worst performance".
Best Eleven write: "Beads worthless without string. South Korea leave embarrassing result, worse than past despite stronger squad."
At Gwanghwamun Square, Sports Khan interview fan Shin Ho-jin, 26. Shin say South Korea football stagnate, serve interest groups. "Better go home early than play another match with this tactic, suffer global humiliation."
South Korea President Lee Jae-myung express anger in 787-word post on X. "Unexpected result shock me, incomprehensible. Sorry absurd event disappoint citizens."
President, 63, blame Korea Football Association (KFA) for bad management, poor hiring. Ask Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to evaluate failure, analyze cause, prevent recurrence, improve situation.
Minister Choi Hwi-young promise talks to find root cause. Write on X: "Too sad to act, only stare at sky. South Korea football in swamp. Must lift spirit, restart."
South Korea fans disappointed after 0-1 loss to South Africa in final Group A match, World Cup 2026, Monterrey stadium, Mexico, watching at outdoor venue in Seoul, South Korea, June 25, 2026. Photo: AP
Legend Park Ji-sung feel "heartbroken". Comment on JTBC, former midfielder with 100 caps say South Korea learn World Cup prep but forget fast, repeat 2014 Brazil mistakes. Then, team also led by coach Hong Myung-bo exit group stage.
Criticism of coach (born 1969) grow as World Cup expand to 48 teams. Under pressure, Hong (contract to end of Asian Cup 2027) likely resign.
Osen report South Korea likely return home in silence, no traditional welcome ceremony. Decision avoid airport fan protests. 2014, fans throw malt candy at Hong team. 2018, coach Shin Tae-yong team pelted with raw eggs.
Malt candy in Korean is "yeot". Slang "eat yeot" mean swear word, show hatred or boycott.
British paper Guardian say South Korea face issues before tournament. First, KFA President Chung Mong-gyu announce resignation post-World Cup amid poor management allegations. In Mexico, conflict with media over leaked audio mocking Son Heung-min damage relations.
South Korea eliminated from 2026 World Cup group stage
Uzbekistan 1-3 comeback loss to DR Congo ends South Korea chance to advance among third-place teams in 2026 World Cup group stage. 204
Park Ji-sung criticizes South Korea coach
Former star Park Ji-sung criticizes former teammate Hong Myung-bo after South Korea lose 0-1 to South Africa, dropping to third in 2026 World Cup Group A. 51
South Korean media: 'Players play like they have food poisoning'
South Korean media baffled by team's lifeless performance in 0-1 loss to South Africa in final match of 2026 World Cup Group A. 133
Losing to South Africa, South Korea hold breath waiting for World Cup knockout spot
South Korea lose 0-1 to South Africa in final match at Monterrey stadium, dropping to third in 2026 World Cup Group A. 223
Park Ji-sung jealous of Japan team
Former South Korea star Park Ji-sung expresses admiration watching rival Japan play at 2026 World Cup. 35