On June 30, early in the morning at Incheon International Airport, fans waiting for the South Korean national football team, which failed to qualify for the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup, held an unusual frame. The framed picture, draped in black, featured the logo of the Korean Football Association (KFA). This was not a mockery or a one-time performance; it was a desperate warning from fans who have long supported Korean football. The most poignant scene left by this World Cup was not on the field but at the airport.
The national team's elimination in the group stage is merely a result. More concerning is the public's perception of that outcome. The reason fans brought a framed picture is not due to a few losses but rather the accumulated disappointment and distrust towards the KFA, which has reached an unbearable level.
From the start, the journey was fraught with issues. The process of appointing Hong Myung-bo as head coach sparked controversy over procedural legitimacy and transparency. The trust of the public in the selection process is as crucial as the coach's abilities. However, the KFA failed to provide satisfactory explanations. As criticism grew, they chose silence over communication, repeatedly adopting a complacent attitude that the controversy would fade with time.
The Hong Myung-bo-led team also failed to meet expectations on the World Cup stage. The gameplay was monotonous, lacking tactical flexibility to respond to opponents' changes. There was little evidence of bold decisions to shift the momentum in times of crisis. Relying solely on the individual capabilities of players proved insufficient to overcome the barriers of the global stage. The coach must be held accountable for both performance and results.
However, attributing this failure solely to the coach would lead Korean football down the same path again. The greater responsibility lies with the KFA, which determines the direction of the national team, appoints the coach, and oversees football administration. A system that shares credit for success but only replaces the coach in failure will not bring about any change. This World Cup revealed that not only the field but also the administrative system has lost its international competitiveness.
Korean football faces numerous challenges, including youth development, coaching training, league competitiveness, national team management, and the decision-making structure of the KFA. While demanding world-class standards from players, football administration has failed to move beyond outdated practices. Expecting results while the fundamentals are shaky is fundamentally misguided.
The government has expressed its commitment to reforming football administration. It is crucial that this is not merely a show of innovation. The system must change to one that allows for objective verification, from the transparency of the coaching appointment process to the operation of the association, budget execution, and accountability structure. The era of treating the national sport as a possession of a select few must come to an end.
The appearance of the KFA's framed picture at the airport is not just a symbol of fan anger; it is a final warning for Korean football. If responsibility is evaded again and time is wasted on excuses, the only change in four years may be the name of the coach. For Korean football to revive, the first thing that must be restored is not victory but trust. This must begin with thorough self-reflection and fundamental reform within the KFA.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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