Son Heung-min has issued an apology following South Korea‘s early exit from the World Cup 2026 group stage. The captain requested support rather than criticism for the players, stating his commitment to the nation’s football fans.
South Korea began their campaign in Mexico with a victory but subsequently lost their next two matches, finishing third in Group A. A draw in their final group game would have secured their qualification, but they were defeated 1-0 by South Africa, ultimately placing outside the top eight third-placed teams.
Son Heung-min, who joined MLS side LA FC last August, was not in the starting lineup for the crucial match against South Africa. He was introduced in the second half but was unable to score, extending his goal drought in the 2026 World Cup.
Managerial Change and Public Reaction
Following the team’s elimination, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday. The nation’s president, Lee Jae Myung, has called for an investigation into the team’s performance, reflecting widespread public anger.
Son Heung-min expressed his deep disappointment in an Instagram post, stating, “I can’t pretend [nothing happened], and I don’t want to escape reality. First of all, I would like to say sorry to all the Korean people and to the fans who love football.” He described the tournament as profoundly important to him and acknowledged the collapse of his “child’s dream.”
The public’s frustration has been building for years, with calls for significant changes within South Korean football. Former captain Park Ji-sung commented on the situation, suggesting that the outcome might have been anticipated and that the country needs to reflect on why things have reached this point.
South Korea was expected to advance from Group A, which included co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia. They secured a 2-1 victory against the Czechs but then faced a 1-0 loss to Mexico before their decisive defeat to South Africa.
Calls for Overhaul and Future Uncertainty
The team’s early departure has led to demands for a complete overhaul of the football leadership, which have persisted despite coach Hong’s resignation. President Lee Jae Myung’s comments, pointing to “incompetent people,” underscore the public’s discontent.
Hong Myung-bo had been a focal point of criticism since his return to the coaching role in July 2024, five months after his predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann, was dismissed. The process of Hong’s reappointment drew scrutiny regarding its transparency and fairness.
A significant point of contention was Hong’s decision to bench Son Heung-min for the match against South Africa, where South Korea needed only a point to progress. Hong later admitted to struggling to comprehend what went wrong as the nation awaited other results to determine their fate.
Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 World Cup team, voiced his frustration, describing his feelings as “pathetic and frustrated” while hoping for a favorable result in another game to aid South Korea’s qualification. He emphasized that the situation serves as “a message to change,” suggesting that everyone involved should be prepared to step down.
Much of the public’s anger has also been directed at KFA President Chung Mong-gyu. Chung had previously stated his intention to resign after the tournament, citing a “lack of virtue” amid criticism of his 13-year tenure. He has been in his fourth term as KFA president and faced criticism for attempting to pardon former players banned for match-fixing.
The international future of captain Son Heung-min remains uncertain, as he has not yet commented on his plans. The player, who will turn 34 next month, had previously hinted at retiring from international football. Former captain Park Ji-sung stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes to prevent a recurrence of this cycle, advocating for a better future for South Korean football.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
