The South Korean national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, returned home after failing to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
According to Yonhap News, coach Hong and nine players arrived at Incheon International Airport on the morning of June 30 after completing their World Cup schedule.
South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses, earning three points. They ranked 10th among the 12 third-placed teams, which meant they did not qualify for the Round of 32.
The team's final ranking was 34th.
Coach Hong announced his resignation the previous day during training in Mexico. He returned with players Jo Hyun-woo (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), and Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş).
Following a disappointing exit from the group stage, criticism intensified towards coach Hong, the team, and the Korea Football Association. Police were deployed at the airport as a precaution.
Despite arriving between 3 and 4 a.m., over 200 fans and YouTubers gathered at the airport. The atmosphere was charged even before coach Hong appeared, with loud cheers greeting the team's arrival.
When asked if he had any words for the fans, coach Hong did not provide a specific response as he left the arrival area.
The players quickly departed in a vehicle arranged outside the gate, followed by a bus carrying association officials.
Meanwhile, other players, including Son Heung-min (LAFC), are expected to return in groups and will all be back by July 1.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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