South Korea's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in North America has drawn criticism at home calling for accountability, but in Japan, an unexpected wave of support emerged with calls to "leave Hong Myung-bo alone." Drawing on connections from former national team coach Hong Myung-bo's playing days in the J-League, Japanese politicians, media figures, and football officials have voiced their encouragement one after another.
◇From Politicians to Fans... "Leave Hong Myung-bo Alone"= On Sunday, Taro Kono, a member of the House of Representatives who previously served as Japan's foreign minister and defense minister, posted on his social network service (SNS), "Don't harass Hong Myung-bo, our OB (senior)."
Kono is a former representative director of J-League club Shonan Bellmare, where Hong played in 1997-1998. The remarks are interpreted as expressing his affection for Hong, who was a key player for the team during his playing days, and sympathy for his current situation.
The Japanese football community and fans have also offered reactions defending Hong. Football columnist Ichiro Enokido left a message of support, saying, "Myung-bo, I hope you come to Japan. J-League fans have not forgotten your fighting spirit."
Some Japanese internet users also reacted with comments such as, "It pains me to see Hong Myung-bo, who contributed to the development of the J-League, facing such fierce criticism in his home country," and "Come back to Japan."
◇Resignation and Calls for Football Association Accountability... Korean Football as Seen by Japanese Media= Japanese media focused on Hong's resignation and Korea's elimination from the World Cup group stage.
Football-specialized outlet The World reported, "Just one day after the group-stage elimination was confirmed, coach Hong Myung-bo announced his resignation," adding, "Although he issued a public apology over the result of this World Cup, the anger of Korean football fans shows no sign of subsiding."
The outlet continued, "Before the tournament, Korea was optimistic about advancing from the group stage, and the national team led by Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) was widely regarded as the strongest squad in history," and reported, "The unexpected elimination triggered a torrent of fierce criticism from Korean media and football fans."
Sports Hochi reported, "Coach Hong Myung-bo resigned, saying, 'The responsibility lies entirely with me.' He played in four World Cups during his playing days and was also active in the J-League," adding, "As a coach, he resigned after the group-stage elimination at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, returned in 2024, and has now resigned again."
Nikkan Sports also reported, "Hong, who led Korean football to its first-ever bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, stepped down after the 2014 Brazil World Cup and returned to the national team in July 2024 after 10 years," adding, "In this tournament, his second time leading a World Cup, the team was again eliminated from Group A, where it was a strong favorite to advance, and he ultimately resigned."
Tokyo Sports highlighted that Hong announced his resignation through a statement without a separate press conference, while also spotlighting domestic calls for accountability directed at the Korea Football Association. The outlet reported, "In Korea, there are strong calls for accountability not only for coach Hong Myung-bo but also for the Korea Football Association," adding, "Attention is focused on whether Korean football can overcome this failure and rise again."
Meanwhile, the South Korean national team led by Hong competed against Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa in Group A of this World Cup but finished third in the group with one win and two losses, failing to advance to the round of 32.
Hong held a press conference at the team's base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday and stepped down as national team coach, saying, "The position of coach is one where no explanation is possible in the face of results," and "In the end, I could not show the people the result they had hoped for. The responsibility lies entirely with me as the coach." It came about two years after he returned to lead the national team in July last year.
