Even if eliminated, there will be no automatic resignation of Hong Myung-bo; contract period extends to January next year, not the World Cup

*This content was translated by AI.

Even if the South Korean national football team is eliminated from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo (57) will not automatically step down. This is because his contract with the Korea Football Association (KFA) extends not to this World Cup but to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in January next year. It means that elimination from the World Cup does not necessarily lead to an automatic resignation or contract termination for Coach Hong.

Earlier, when the KFA announced the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as the head coach of the national team in July 2024, it stated that the contract period would extend to the Asian Cup. Lee Im-saeng, then the KFA's executive director for technical affairs, also clarified this during a briefing on Hong's appointment. Some reports suggested that an interim evaluation would be conducted immediately after the World Cup to decide whether Hong would continue leading the team at the Asian Cup, but the KFA has never officially released such information. In cases where interim evaluations are included in the contracts of head coaches for tournaments held midway through their tenure, the KFA typically explains this during the appointment announcement. However, no official mention has been made regarding an interim evaluation for Coach Hong.

Even if the contract between Coach Hong Myung-bo and the KFA included a clause for an interim evaluation immediately after the World Cup, it is highly unlikely that the criteria would be based solely on absolute performance metrics such as qualification for the Round of 32. Given the atmosphere at the time, when controversies over fairness arose during Hong's appointment process, it is also uncertain whether any provisions unfavorable to Coach Hong, who was in a position of authority, were included in the contract. At best, opportunities for Coach Hong to explain his preparation process or performance results may be arranged through review meetings held by the KFA's Power Strengthening Committee, which are typically convened after international tournaments, but such evaluations are likely to remain largely formal.

For Coach Hong Myung-bo, even if the team is eliminated from the World Cup, he is likely to demonstrate his determination to continue leading the team until the Asian Cup in January next year, as originally stipulated in the contract. Stepping down immediately after World Cup elimination would amount to an ignominious departure. Moreover, Coach Hong has already experienced an ignominious resignation following a group-stage exit at the 2014 Brazil tournament. For Coach Hong, continuing to lead the team until January next year and seeking a final opportunity for redemption through an Asian Cup victory may be his best course of action. Regardless, Coach Hong Myung-bo has already led the national team through the World Cup stage with resilience, despite facing strong booing from fans and lacking their support since his appointment.

It remains uncertain whether the KFA will easily resort to the option of dismissing Coach Hong Myung-bo after the World Cup. Above all, Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) has officially announced his intention to resign at the end of this World Cup. In this context, it has become difficult for Jeong (Chairman) to exert direct influence on various personnel and administrative matters, including Coach Hong's future. After Jeong (Chairman) steps down, the KFA may also choose to ignore public opinion calling for the dismissal of the new head coach due to leadership vacuums and other issues.

The KFA previously decided to retain Coach Hong Myung-bo immediately after the Brazil World Cup, contrary to public opinion, and only after facing intense criticism did it ultimately conclude with his resignation. At that time, Coach Hong's contract period also extended not just to the Brazil World Cup but to June of the following year, including the Asian Cup. Coach Hong Myung-bo had performed poorly with one draw and two losses in the World Cup, and various controversies emerged toward the end of the tournament, leading to intense pressure for his resignation. Nevertheless, Coach Hong initially chose to follow the KFA's decision to retain him, but only after public criticism intensified further did he ultimately decide to step down on his own.

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*This content was translated by AI.