Korea's World Cup failure may force football to confront itself SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - The fury over South Korea's abrupt exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup is unlikely to subside with the voluntary exit of the head coach. Instead, it is increasingly building up to a fundamental overhaul of the country's notoriously insular sports bureaucracy. Hong Myung-bo resigned a day after Korea failed to reach the round of 32, but public anger has not stopped with the head coach. Instead, attention has shifted to the Korea Football Association (KFA) June 29, 2026

Another early exit leaves Korean football searching for answers again SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - "Sorry cannot make amends for the sense of betrayal for those who held onto hope until the very last minute," said 25-year-old Seoul resident Kim Sung-min. Like millions of South Koreans, Kim spent the weekend after Thursday's devastating defeat to South Africa watching the remaining World Cup matches, clinging to the slim possibility that results elsewhere might yet rescue Korea's campaign. "Our only hope was to see Son Heung-min p June 29, 2026

Hong Myung-bo makes disgraceful exit after Korea's earliest-ever World Cup exit SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday after the country's earliest-ever World Cup exit, becoming the first coach in national team history to leave following failures at two separate tournaments. Hong stepped down a day after South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending the country's run of five consecutive appearances in the knockout stage dating back to 2018 and consigning it to it June 29, 2026

South Korea's round of 32 hopes dashed at World Cup SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - South Korea's hopes of reaching the round of 32 at this year's World Cup were shattered after DR Congo secured a 3–1 win over Uzbekistan, eliminating the country's last remaining slim chance of advancing to the next round. South Korea, which finished third in its group after losing to South Africa in its final group-stage match in Monterrey in northeastern Mexico last week, had been relying on luck, waiting for results of matches from other g June 28, 2026

S. Korea slips to seventh in third-place race after Senegal routs Iraq SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - South Korea’s hopes of reaching the World Cup round of 32 suffered another setback after Senegal’s 5-0 victory over Iraq pushed Korea down to seventh place in the race among third-place teams. Senegal defeated Iraq in their final Group I match in Toronto on Friday, improving to one win and two losses for three points and finishing third in the group. Senegal had trailed South Korea on goal difference, but the five-goal victory improved its mark June 27, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea misses automatic berth, awaits third-place verdict SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - South Korea failed to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 32 after losing 1-0 to South Africa, leaving their World Cup fate to the ranking of third-placed teams. South Korea were beaten at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on Thursday morning in Korea in their final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the other Group A match played at the same time, Mexico defeated Czechia 3-0. Mexico finished top of the group with three wins from three ma June 25, 2026

World Cup rivals cheer as one in central Seoul SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Gwanghwamun Square turned red on Thursday morning. Some 11,000 fans packed the plaza in South Korean football jerseys, scarves around their necks and cheering sticks in hand, their chants filling the air around the iconic statue of King Sejong the great. Among them stood South Africa's ambassador to South Korea, Sindiswa Ntombolimo Mququ, dressed in the green and yellow of her national team, and dozens of South Africans, also June 25, 2026

Korea loses to South Africa, left waiting on third-place ranking SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - South Korea failed to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 32 after losing 1-0 to South Africa in their final Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday in Korea. South Korea lost at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico after conceding midway through the second half. In the other Group A match played at the same time, Mexico beat Czechia 3-0. The results sent Mexico through as Group A winners and South Africa as runners-up. South Korea fini June 25, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea held by South Africa after disjointed first half SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - South Korea went into halftime scoreless against South Africa on Thursday after a disjointed first half in which they struggled to beat pressure, move the ball through midfield and turn possession into meaningful chances. South Korea kicked off their final Group A match at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico knowing a draw would be enough to secure second place and a spot in the Round of 32. Opta’s pre-match model had given South Korea a 59.2 percent chance June 25, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea holds its breath as Round of 32 hangs in balance SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Thousands of football fans packed central Seoul's Gwanghwamun from early Thursday morning, filling public viewing areas and gathering around giant screens hours before South Korea's decisive 10 a.m. (Korea time) World Cup kickoff, while millions more across the country glued themselves to televisions and smartphones for the make-or-break clash with South Africa. The entire nation would come to a standstill for 90 minutes as South Korea faced Sout June 25, 2026