'Get out of Korea': Hong returns to angry fans after World Cup elimination

Former national football team head manager Hong Myung-bo and eight players were met by angry and disappointed fans on Tuesday morning, when they returned home following Korea’s group-stage exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Hong, who announced his resignation at the team’s training base in Mexico the previous day, arrived at Incheon International Airport with Jo Hyeon-woo of Ulsan HD; Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich; Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord; Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers; Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City; Kim Moon-hwan of Daejeon Hana Citizen; Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain; and Seol Young-woo of Red Star Belgrade.

Though they returned between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., about 50 to 60 fans and YouTubers were gathered at the arrival hall and chanting, “Hong Myung-bo, come out.”

As soon as Hong and the players appeared, the arrival hall descended further into chaos.

Some angry fans hurled insults at Hong and shouted, “Hong Myung-bo, get out of Korea,” “Hong Myung-bo, you should be ashamed,” “Return the 2 billion won [$1.3 million]” and “Hong Myung-bo, give the money back and leave.” 

Hong had reportedly signed a contract worth 2 billion won as the national team’s head manager. 

Others offered words of encouragement to the players, telling them, “Keep your head up.”

The original plan had been for the eight players to leave the arrival hall first, followed by Hong. However, as tensions escalated, about 20 people — including several players, security personnel, police officers and Korea Football Association (KFA) officials — escorted Hong out first. Goalkeeper Jo led the group.

Hong did not respond when reporters asked whether he had a message for fans. He boarded a van after leaving the terminal and departed the airport.

It took him less than two minutes to exit the arrival hall.

KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, who returned on the same flight, appeared about 10 minutes later and also left in a waiting vehicle. One football fan threw a piece of a chewing bone for dogs at Chung in protest before being restrained by police.

The KFA abruptly canceled the team’s official airport welcome event and news conference after online death threats targeting Hong raised security concerns.

It marked the first time since the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by Korea, that the national team returned from an overseas World Cup without an official airport reception.

This year, about 160 security personnel, including riot police, were deployed at the airport. Police said that they would respond firmly to any violent behavior.

Korea had been seeking to reach the knockout stage at an overseas World Cup for the second consecutive tournament after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Instead, the team finished third in Group A, with one win and two losses for three points.

Korea ranked No. 10 among the 12 third-placed teams and failed to advance to the Round of 32. With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, Korea finished No. 34 overall — the country’s worst World Cup finish.

Following the team’s final Group A match against South Africa at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on June 24, the squad remained at its base camp in Guadalajara, awaiting results from other groups before its elimination was confirmed. The players then began the journey home.

The remaining members of the squad, including captain Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, are scheduled to return separately due to flight arrangements.

Son also apologized to fans in a social media post uploaded on Monday, or at about 3 a.m. on Tuesday in Korea.

“I am truly sorry to our fans,” he wrote. “We will give everything that we have and fight our way back.”

BY PIH JU-YOUNG [[email protected]]