Manila: South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, a day after the country's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Yonhap news agency. The 57-year-old announced his resignation at a news conference in Zapopan, western Mexico, where the team had been training.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hong was appointed for a second spell in July 2024 and had been under contract through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. South Korea finished third in Group A with three points from one win and two losses. The team failed to rank among the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament's 12 groups and was eliminated on Saturday. Hong also failed to guide South Korea beyond the group stage during his first spell as head coach at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Earlier Sunday, President Lee Jae Myung commented on the team's defeat, attributing it to "factional loyalty." He emphasized that when loyalty is prioritized over competence, the results are predictable. Lee expressed concerns over the allocation of public resources for World Cup participation and urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to investigate the team's performance and develop strategies to prevent future failures. He also announced plans for nationwide reforms in sports administration.