Park Hang-seo, the head of the South Korean national football team, apologized to football fans over the team's elimination in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Park issued a statement and conveyed his apology to the public ahead of a review press conference for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held Sunday Korea time at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico.
"As the team's head, I offer my deep apology on behalf of the Korea Football Association for delivering results that fell short of the public's expectations," Park said. "Our players, coaching staff and support staff did their utmost to prepare for the tournament, but ultimately we failed to produce results that would repay the public's support." He stressed, "The Korea Football Association must overcome the slump of this World Cup and prepare for the future again through painstaking reflection and introspection, so that Korean football can make a fresh start."
After concluding his statement, Park bowed once more and apologized to the fans who had supported the national team during the tournament. At the press conference that followed, head coach Hong Myung-bo personally announced his intention to step down from the helm of the national team.
The South Korean national team had aimed to reach the quarterfinals of an away World Cup for the first time in its history. However, in the group stage it managed only one win and two losses (three points), beating the Czech Republic (2-1) while losing to Mexico and South Africa (both 0-1). Finishing third in Group A, South Korea failed to secure a spot in the round of 32 — awarded to the top eight of the third-place teams — and packed up at the group stage.
The second tenure of Hong Myung-bo's squad, which launched in July 2024, once again failed to clear the group-stage hurdle, following the 2014 Brazil World Cup (one draw, two losses, group-stage elimination). Hong, who had said "I will take full responsibility" immediately after the South Africa match, ultimately stepped down as national team manager two years after taking the post, taking responsibility for the poor results.
