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Former national football team manager Hong Myung-bo (center), who produced the worst performance in history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, returns home on the 30th through Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal 2. / Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

The South Korean national football team, bearing the shock of a group stage elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, returned home amid cold public opinion. Former manager Hong Myung-bo, who declared his resignation, left the arrival hall without revealing any particular stance even amidst the boos of fans. Meanwhile, team captain Son Heung-min issued a public apology on social media, promising a comeback.

Former manager Hong Myung-bo and some players of the national team—including Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Munich), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Seol Young-woo (Zvezda), and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas)—returned home through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 30th.

South Korea recorded 1 win and 2 losses (3 points) in the group stage of this tournament, remaining in 3rd place in Group A. Subsequently, it finished in 10th place even in the standings competition among the 12 third-placed group teams, failing to advance to the round of 32. In this tournament where participating countries expanded to 48 nations, South Korea remained in 34th place overall, accepting the worst World Cup scorecard in history based on rankings.

More than 200 fans and YouTubers gathered in the arrival hall during the early morning hours, and shouting continued even before manager Hong showed his appearance. Boos showered down upon manager Hong and the players as they entered the arrival hall together with National Team Support Director Park Hang-seo and Korea Football Association Executive Director Kim Seung-hee.

Police were also deployed at the scene to prepare against any contingency. Ahead of the national team’s return, posts threatening manager Hong’s personal safety even went up on the internet, but sudden situations such as physical clashes did not occur.

Former manager Hong left the arrival hall without giving any particular answer even to reporters’ questions asking 'Do you have anything to say to the fans.' The players left the airport first utilizing prepared vehicles, and the bus carrying association officials departed consecutively following them.

The national team did not proceed with a separate welcoming event during this return either. This is the first time based on away World Cups since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup—where the country was a host—that the national team entered the country without an airport return event after finishing the World Cup finals.

Team captain Son Heung-min revealed his feelings for the first time through his social media ahead of the return. Son apologized, stating, "I do not know where to start. I cannot pretend not to know, and I do not want to avoid reality," adding, "First of all, I want to deliver words of sincere apology to the citizens of the Republic of Korea and fans who love football."

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Fans who visited Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal 2 on the 30th, when former national football team manager Hong Myung-bo—who resigned from the South Korean national football team after failing to advance to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—returns home, are holding up protest banners. / Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

He also confessed, "I definitely wanted to deliver at least these words to the fans who must be spending a harder time than anyone else with various emotions crossing every day and every moment," adding, "It was a tournament more precious than anyone else to me too, and it feels like the 'dream stage of a young child' that I always spoke of has crumbled down, leaving me unspeakably complicated and heavy-hearted."

Simultaneously, he stated, "Rather than expressing everything through words right now, I will do my best again in my place to turn the hearts of the citizens of the Republic of Korea and football fans," adding, "I will run with a do-or-die attitude so that I can give you enjoyment again. I have absolutely not forgotten the promise made with fans. Until the fans look for me, until you need me, I will pour in my everything to prepare well again."

                                                                                                          Chun Hyun-bin