Park Ji-sung at the scene of the shocking elimination: "A miserable feeling. I learned for 10 years, yet I forgot it all and did the same thing again..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Ji-sung (45), known as 'the living legend of Korean football' and a JTBC football commentator, could not hide his deep sorrow over South Korea's failure to advance to the Round of 32.

The South Korean national football team finished the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean in Group A with one win and two losses (3 points, 2 goals scored, 3 goals conceded, goal difference -1), placing third in the group.

With the number of participating countries expanded to 48 in this World Cup, not only the top two teams from each group but also the top eight third-placed teams among the 12th groups could advance to the Round of 32 tournament.

South Korea assembled its national team for this tournament centered on top-tier overseas players such as Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich). There was continuous optimism not only about advancing to the Round of 32 but even reaching the Round of 16.

After a 2-1 comeback victory against Czech Republic in the first match, South Korea narrowly lost 0-1 to Mexico in the second match. At that point, the mood was still positive. However, losing 0-1 to South Africa in the third match after a poor performance was too fatal. Ultimately, South Korea could only hope for a third-place finish, but when the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on the morning of the 28th, South Korea's elimination was confirmed. South Korea fell to ninth among the third-placed teams and had to pack their bags regardless of the remaining Group J match results.

On this day, Park Ji-sung, who broadcast the match between Congo and Uzbekistan live from Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, USA, made a pained expression as he said through the broadcast, "We might have been able to predict this result several years ago. It feels a bit miserable to have to reflect once again on why we found ourselves in this situation."

Commentator Park added, "But I believe that from now on, we have once again reached a time when we must move forward toward a different future."

Finally, Commentator Park concluded, "We need to figure out how to prepare for the World Cup, and beyond that, how to continue developing Korean football, not just for the World Cup. I feel like we learned for the past 10 years, yet we forgot it all and did the same thing again. This is truly a regrettable situation. I hope that Korean football will slowly take one step at a time, dreaming of the future, drawing the future, and working for the future, so that such a situation does not repeat itself."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.