Hong Myung-bo Dismisses Discord Rumors: "No Internal Problems in Squad"

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, emphasized that the mood within the squad is "normal."

Speaking to reporters Thursday (Korea time) before leading a recovery training session at Chivas Verde Valle, the team's base camp training ground in Guadalajara, Mexico, Hong said, "There was some disorder in the atmosphere during the Mexico match, but I don't think there is a problem within the squad." He added, "Because I am the type who takes these matters sensitively and prepares thoroughly, I can say there was nothing of the sort."

A day earlier, Hong's side lost 0-1 to South Africa in their final Group A match of the group stage at the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America. The defeat dropped the national team to third place in the group, an embarrassment that leaves their advancement to the round of 32 uncertain.

Hong appeared not to have pinpointed the exact reason why the team suddenly collapsed in the third match.

"It is true that we are also bewildered as to why this happened," he said. "It seems the players were psychologically too eager to do well and very strongly wanted to win and seal qualification. With the mental and psychological aspects combined with playing in hot weather, I think things didn't come together well. I plan to talk with the players today."

After the South Africa match, Seol Young-woo (Crvena zvezda) drew criticism from fans by hinting at legal action against malicious online comments. On another front, there are also points being raised that Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) approached the match without commitment.

Responding to suggestions that there may be a problem within the team following the shocking defeat, Hong said, "I think this is the first tournament that has not been this turbulent both inside and out," stressing that the mood is far better than at the Brazil World Cup 12 years ago, when he led the national team.

He added, "I think it needs to be viewed in terms of continuity. It is a problem that can arise in connection with poor match results."