No automatic resignation for Hong Myung-bo even if eliminated; contract 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 to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in January next year, not just the current World Cup. In other words, 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 until 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. Although some reports suggested that an interim evaluation would be conducted immediately after the World Cup to determine whether Hong would continue coaching at the Asian Cup, the KFA has never officially released such information. For head coaches whose contracts include tournaments with interim evaluations, the association 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 terms 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 coaching until the originally agreed-upon deadline in January next year for the Asian Cup. 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 could offer a final opportunity to restore his honor by winning the Asian Cup. 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 Lee Yu-ro (CEO) team's 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 also extended beyond the Brazil World Cup to June of the following year, including the Asian Cup. Coach Hong 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.