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South Korea’s World Cup loss spurs anger over ‘cartel’ of elites, favouritism

When South Korea’s national football team returned home on Tuesday after their shock group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup tournament, the fury of fans…

By Samantha Johnson / July 5, 2026
When South Korea’s national football team returned home on Tuesday after their shock group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup tournament, the fury of fans was not targeted at captain Son Heung-min or other players.

It was aimed at head coach Hong Myung-bo, who announced his resignation during a press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico – the tournament’s co-host – on June 28.

South Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico and South Africa after opening their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. The results were not enough for them to qualify for the next round as one of the best third-placed teams.

Escorted through Incheon International Airport by security guards around 3am, Hong was greeted by thunderous boos, insults and protest banners declaring that “South Korean football is dead”. An online death threat made against him before the team arrived prompted a police investigation.

On June 29, the national team’s official supporters’ club, the Red Devils, demanded that he “kneel before the entire nation and leave the football world forever”.

Even President Lee Jae Myung has chimed in, saying he felt “utter bewilderment” at the result and ordered the culture ministry to investigate what he described as failures in the team’s organisation and personnel.

The backlash exposes not just widespread public disappointment over another failed World Cup campaign, but also anger among South Koreans regarding whether the people chosen to lead national institutions have earned their place by merit, according to analysts.

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