
What should have been a normal return turned into a public reckoning. South Korea’s national soccer team ran into a storm of anger when they landed at Incheon International Airport, greeted not with cheers, but with boos, boos and scathing accusations after they were crushed. FIFA World Cup 2026 Exit. In the middle of the chaos stood former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who had resigned a day earlier. Instead of escaping quietly, he faced the confusion of the nation.
Fans emerge: ‘Korean football is dead’
Hundreds of angry supporters gathered outside the airport, making their feelings painfully clear. Chants of “Hong Myung-bo, get out!” rang out through the station, while billboards carried even louder messages, one clearly declaring, “Korean Soccer Is Dead.” The police had to intervene, creating a security corridor to escort Hong Myung-bo out of safety as the tension grew. The humiliated coach avoided eye contact and ignored questions from reporters, going straight into a waiting car.
The turmoil was not confined to the airport. Reports revealed that Hong Myung-bo even received a death threat online after the team’s humiliating campaign. In an unprecedented move, the Korea Football Association scrapped its traditional welcoming ceremony the returning forcemarking the first time such an event has been canceled since 2002.
๐จ | ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Hong and several players arrived at 4 a.m. hoping to avoid the protesters, but a large crowd was waiting. ๐คฏ
The fans beat the drums, chanting “Hong Myung-bo out!” & threw curses/insults at the coach. ๐ซก๐ฐ๐ท pic.twitter.com/X2XWlEjLGW
โ Joel Kim (@KNTFootball) June 29, 2026
World Cup hopes will be shattered in Group A
The anger didn’t come out of nowhere, it was fueled by a campaign that promised a lot but didn’t deliver. South Korea’s trip got off to a promising start with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. But those hopes quickly faded as 1-0 defeats against Mexico and South Africa slowed their momentum.
Finishing third in Group A with just three points, the Taegeuk Warriors still held on for a lifeline thanks to the expanded 48-team draw. However, those hopes were dashed when they finished just 10th among the third-placed teams, falling short of the top eight needed to advance. It was a bitter end for a team led by international star Son Heung-min, who had carried the weight of the nation’s expectations.
Hong Myung-bo resigns, but questions remain
Before leaving Mexico, Hong Myung-bo took responsibility and announced his resignation, abruptly ending his second stint as head coach. “We didn’t give the results our fans expected,” he admitted, admitting to disappointment. However his departure has done little to calm the storm.
South Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following the nation’s elimination from the World Cup.
South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, called for an investigation into their World Cup performance and how Hong Myung-bo was hired as head coach in the first place. pic.twitter.com/WdUxBgM6jc
– Pop Music (@PopBase) June 30, 2026
Kang-in listens to this fan’s insults…. ๐ญ
“HMB, you son of *…The wc was a disgrace because of you, Myung-bo…your bcs, Korean football has gone back 30 years..MB! Spit out your salary…you son of *..!pic.twitter.com/rLFPxMfazt
– Mariโท | โเผ (@mari_mavi5) June 29, 2026
Business owners in Korea are now putting up signs banning national team manager Hong Myung-bo from entering local businesses.
Public frustration over his failure in the World Cup has been so great that opposition now spills over into everyday life.
Are fans doing too many things… pic.twitter.com/IhNwYESmY3
โ Kangmin Lee | Kangmin Lee (@kangminlee) June 29, 2026
“๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐-๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐!” ๐ฃ๏ธ
Angry supporters go to the hotel and shout for Hong Myung-bo to resign as he leaves. ๐ฃ๏ธ
Hong looks confused and appears to scold the protester.
Hong resigned earlier today. ๐ซก๐ฐ๐ท pic.twitter.com/fMUAfar286
โ Joel Kim (@KNTFootball) June 29, 2026
Hong Myung-bo and several South Korean national team players arrived at Incheon Airport at around 4am hoping to avoid the protesters.
It didn’t work.
Hundreds of fans were already waiting, drumming, chanting โHong Myung-bo out!โ and insulted the coach of the national team…
โ Kangmin Lee | Kangmin Lee (@kangminlee) June 29, 2026
Many argue that the problems go beyond one person, pointing fingers at the Korea Football Association for its controversial decision to re-nominate Hong Myung-bo in 2024. His return has sparked outrage from the start, with many accusing the confederation of favoritism and ignoring more qualified candidates.
The President orders an investigation into the failure of the World Cup
The deficit has now reached the highest levels in the state. The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, has ordered an official investigation into the team’s poor results in the World Cup, giving the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism the responsibility to reveal what happened. In an emotional outcry, Lee described the results as deeply troubling, suggesting systemic issues in leadership and decision-making.
‘Absolutely confused’: The president wants an investigation after the World Cup in South Korea
The President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung calls for an investigation into the poor state of the World Cup in the country that shows and following the resignation of coach Hong Myung-bo.
Lee said the investigation is aimed at… pic.twitter.com/OfCyiL1HWs
โ GAROWE ONLINE (@GaroweOnline) June 30, 2026
Why South Korea is melting down after being eliminated from the World Cup pic.twitter.com/3CvWlDurlS
– Joon Lee (@joonlee) June 29, 2026
“When favoritism and friendship take precedence over ability in choosing a commander, the results are as predictable as burning paper,” he said. The investigation is expected to examine everything from the selection of coaches to team management, raising serious questions about the future of South Korean football.
Son Heung-min’s emotional apology
In the middle of the chaos, captain Son Heung-min he stepped forward and apologized from the heart amid the anger surrounding the team. “I don’t know where to start,” she wrote, opening up about the pain of coming out early. “First of all, I would like to apologize to all Korean people and soccer fans.”
The 33-year-old striker, who has been the face of South Korean football for years, admitted his defeat left him devastated. “It was a competition that was more important to me than anyone else … I’m really hurt.” Son also acknowledged the dedication to fans and teammates, adding: “I also feel a great responsibility that I could not repay the time, heart, and constant support and love you sent.”
๐จ | ๐๐๐: “๐ ๐๐๐’๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐…”
Son Heung-min updated his IG ๐
Here is the full English translation of what he wrote:
“I don’t even know where to start. I can’t pretend I don’t know what happened, and I don’t want to avoid facing… pic.twitter.com/doz2CbXd8D
โ Joel Kim (@KNTFootball) June 29, 2026
Heung Min Son apologized to fans after South Korea failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/UAolUtQU1f
– Football Fan Affairs (@officialffsnews) June 30, 2026
In his powerful closing message, he promised to fight: “I will run to death to give you peace again.” But he also made a plea, asking supporters to show compassion rather than criticism in a difficult time.
ALSO READ| Australian football fans humiliate Donald Trump with the famous song ‘s*x offender’; Take a look




