Son Heung-min Returns Home After South Korea's World Cup Exit
By Kang Sang HeonPosted : July 1, 2026, 09:12Updated : July 1, 2026, 09:12
South Korea's Son Heung-min returns through Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 after the 2026 North America World Cup. [Photo=Yonhap News]
South Korea's national soccer team captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) returned home on July 1 after the team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.
Son, along with teammates Kim Seung-kyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai), and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), arrived at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 at 4:25 a.m.
Despite the early hour, around 50 fans gathered at the airport to welcome them. As Son appeared in the arrivals area, fans cheered, saying, "Thank you for your hard work" and "Keep your head up."
However, Son's expression remained somber as he quietly exited the arrivals area. When asked by reporters about his thoughts on the tournament and a message for fans, he simply replied, "I’m sorry."
After Son's group left the gate, eight additional players, including 이동경 (Ulsan HD), 김진규 (Jeonbuk), 이한범 (Midtjylland), 이태석 (Austria Wien), 이기혁 (Gangwon FC), 배준호 (Stoke City), 조위제, and 강상윤 (both Jeonbuk), followed at intervals of about 20 minutes.
The return schedule for the national team was staggered due to issues securing flights. Earlier, on June 30, former head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned due to the team's poor performance, and eight players, including Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), returned home first.
Under Hong's leadership, the South Korean team finished third in Group A with one win and two losses (three points), failing to secure a spot in the knockout stage reserved for the top eight third-place teams.
This marks the first group stage exit for South Korea since the 2018 Russia World Cup, with the team's final ranking confirmed at 34th, the lowest in its World Cup history.