South Korea’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the group stage, following a 1-0 loss to South Africa in Monterrey on 24 June. The result meant the Taeguk Warriors could not break into the eight best third-placed teams needed to reach the Round of 32.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned within days of the exit, and South Korea’s president ordered a review of the campaign. This recap covers how South Korea’s group stage unfolded and the match that ended their tournament.
South Korea’s exit: 1-0 defeat to South Africa
South Africa eliminated South Korea from the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win in Monterrey on 24 June, Thapelo Maseko scoring the only goal in the 63rd minute. The result sent South Africa through to their first-ever World Cup knockout match and ended South Korea’s tournament.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo left captain Son Heung-min out of the starting line-up for the decisive match, bringing him on only at the start of the second half. The substitution came too late to change the outcome, and South Korea finished the tournament without one of the eight best third-placed berths.
Group A: how South Korea’s campaign unfolded
South Korea won one and lost two of their three Group A matches, finishing third with three points. Here is how each match went.
| Date | Fixture | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June | South Korea vs Czechia | 2-1 win | Guadalajara |
| 18 June | Mexico vs South Korea | 1-0 loss | Guadalajara |
| 24 June | South Africa vs South Korea | 1-0 loss (eliminated) | Monterrey |
Son Heung-min captained South Korea throughout the group stage under Hong Myung-bo. Mexico topped Group A with three wins, while South Africa’s win over South Korea sent them through in second place.
Fallout: coach resigns after early exit
Hong Myung-bo resigned as South Korea head coach the day after the group-stage elimination was confirmed. South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, publicly criticised the team’s performance and ordered a review of how the coaching staff had been appointed.
The exit marked Hong’s second World Cup group-stage elimination in charge of South Korea, having suffered the same fate at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. South Korea finished 34th of the 48 teams at the 2026 tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far did South Korea go at the 2026 World Cup?
South Korea were eliminated in the group stage. They finished third in Group A with three points and did not qualify among the eight best third-placed teams for the Round of 32.
Who eliminated South Korea from the 2026 World Cup?
South Africa’s 1-0 win on 24 June confirmed South Korea’s elimination. Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal in Monterrey, in a match where captain Son Heung-min started on the bench.
What was South Korea’s record at the 2026 World Cup?
South Korea won one and lost two of their three group matches. They beat Czechia 2-1, then lost 1-0 to both Mexico and South Africa.
What happened to South Korea’s coach after the World Cup?
Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach shortly after the exit. South Korea’s president ordered a review of the campaign following public criticism of the team’s performance.
Sources
- ESPN — World Cup 2026: Which teams have been eliminated?
- Al Jazeera — South Africa stun South Korea to reach World Cup knockouts for the first time
- FIFA.com — South Africa v Korea Republic 1-0: Result, Stats and Highlights
- ESPN — South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo quits after World Cup exit, criticism from president
- Seoul Economic Daily — Korea Crashes Out in Group Stage, Setting String of Worst-Ever World Cup Marks
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