Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, who is stepping onto the World Cup stage for the seventh time in his combined career as a player and coach, cited "fighting spirit" as the core DNA of Korean football. He expressed his hope that the players would set aside the pressure and enjoy the festival itself.
In an interview with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on Saturday Korea time, Hong shared his memories of past World Cups and the operating philosophy of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.
Hong first connected with the World Cup at age 21 at the 1990 Italy tournament, and subsequently played on the pitch through the 1994 United States, 1998 France, and 2002 Korea-Japan tournaments. He then served as head coach at the 2006 Germany tournament's senior coaching staff and as manager at the 2014 Brazil tournament, and is now set to take part in his seventh World Cup overall at this North and Central America tournament. Asked about the meaning of the World Cup, Hong expressed his enduring awe, saying, "The World Cup is a stage of dreams. It is the very dream of every footballer."
His most vivid memory was the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, where he served as captain. "We were able to bring great joy to the people by advancing to the semifinals," Hong recalled. He added, "I really loved seeing the Republic of Korea come together as one through the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup," and said, "I feel great pride that the players played such a role."
However, he was wary of past glory becoming a shackle for the new generation of national team players. "Personally, it would be good if the players think of that time's achievement as a good image in order to once again seek that glory, but as a coach I do not want them to feel pressure about it," Hong said, drawing a line. He then presented his goal, saying, "A sense of mission and responsibility as a national team player is important, but I want the players to prepare well for the World Cup and approach it as a stage they truly enjoy."
He showed pride in the identity of Korean football that runs through the generations, calling it "fighting spirit." On the national team's distinctive tenacity, Hong said, "Generations have changed a lot, but it is one strength the Korean national team possesses," noting, "Fighting spirit is an important part of preparing for the World Cup and an important task we must continue to build going forward."
He also mentioned captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who quietly shoulders the burden. Asked whether the public's expectations might be a burden, Hong said, "That's right. Son Heung-min has played an important role on the national team over the past several years, and I expect him to contribute greatly at this World Cup as well." He then stressed, "Son Heung-min is now a veteran. Thanks to his rich experience, he knows better than anyone what is needed at each stage of preparing for the World Cup," adding, "I hope he doesn't put too much pressure on himself." He then expressed his trust, saying, "I understand the weight of being captain. As a coach, I am trying to lighten that burden even a little."
On the objective strength and competitiveness of the current national team, anchored by European-based players, he expressed unreserved confidence. "A considerable number of our players are competing on the European stage," Hong said. "Unlike in the past, I believe the fear of the world stage has completely disappeared. If we keep building confidence and trust in each other, we can become a strong team that competes proudly with the world's top nations, rather than a team that pulls off the occasional upset," he said, expressing conviction in a new leap for Korean football.
