[World Cup Wrap-up ④] 'The future is even more bleak...' The North American World Cup left only fatal wounds on Korea

*This content was translated by AI.

The grand journey of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup concluded on the 20th (Korean time), 39 days after opening last month. Various issues that had been widely discussed before the tournament, including the historic expansion to 48 participating nations, left clear bright and dark spots. Amid Europe's continued dominance, Asia, with nine participating countries, felt the high wall of world football. Superstars who took part in the last dance put a period on their long journeys with tears of their own. StarNews looks back on the journey of the recent North American World Cup through its wrap-up. /Editor's note

Perhaps the most unfortunate ones in this World Cup were Korean football fans. Due to the noise that erupted before the tournament began, fans could not fully support the national team. Even the main stage was marred by a powerless elimination and false hope, preventing them from enjoying the festive atmosphere properly. After the tournament ended, they were left entirely with a bleak future.

South Korea's World Cup journey was not smooth from the start. Numerous controversies arose during the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, forcing fans to experience complex emotions that prevented them from fully supporting the national team. Just before the main tournament, chants of "Hong Myung-bo out" were frequently heard from the stands, and an unusual scene unfolded where Oh Juk-ha-myeon (CEO) team players approached the stands to calm the fans.

Nevertheless, voices emerged urging people to support the players for now. When South Korea secured a 2-1 victory in their first group stage match against Czechia, the atmosphere seemed to turn around. Coincidentally, South Korea appeared to gain momentum amidst the enthusiastic support of local Mexican fans. In the following second match against Mexico, they lost 0-1, but since the opponent was the host nation and widely regarded as the strongest in Group A, there was room for understanding.

That was all. The public opinion that had been quietly simmering finally exploded in the final group stage match against South Africa, a game of fate.

There was not even room for justification regarding the atmosphere. Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, where the South Africa match was held, was filled with fiery support akin to Korea's home ground. According to officials from the Korean Football Association, it is estimated that at least 2,000 Korean supporters, including the official Red Devils delegation and local Korean residents, gathered for the South Africa match. With full support from local Mexican football fans cheering for Korea, the inside and outside of the stadium created an illusion as if one had arrived at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

However, the result was devastating. Despite overwhelming local support, South Korea lost powerlessly 0-1 to South Africa, which is called the weakest team in Group A. This was the moment when anxiety about failing to advance to the Round of 32 swept over the tournament, which expanded to a 48-team format for the first time. Due to the extremely poor performance itself, even cynical public opinion formed that it would be shameful to reach this stage.

Because the schedule for Group A, in which South Korea was placed, ended relatively early, fans had to constantly calculate scenarios while watching remaining matches in other groups during the group stage. They were placed in an so-called "laugh-pain" position where they had to cheer for teams that would work in their favor. The situation continued where they could not fully enjoy the world festival of the World Cup and became overly emotional about the results of matches in other countries.

Although hopes for advancing to the Round of 32 continued, the torture-like waiting persisted, but ultimately there was no reversal. South Korea's failure to advance to the tournament and final elimination were confirmed on the 28th, the last day of the group stage.

The next morning in local time after the elimination was confirmed, former coach Hong Myung-bo read his resignation statement and stepped down from his position. Fans erupted in greater outrage at the coach's move to leave without any question-and-answer session with reporters. Even after returning to Korea, he only stated that he would attend a later hearing but has never appeared publicly to apologize.

The bitterness of fans watching South Korea's elimination became even more pronounced when compared with other countries. Although South Africa, which defeated South Korea, was eliminated in the Round of 32 after losing to Canada, they wrote history by advancing to the tournament for the first time ever. Czechia, which finished last in Group A, had already enjoyed the festive atmosphere as it was their World Cup main stage appearance for the first time in 20 years.

The bigger problem is that there is greater concern about the football community's future moves after the tournament. Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) had already resigned before the World Cup, aware of the extremely worsened public opinion. Currently, the head of Korean football is vacant.

With no head in place, the process of appointing the next coach has naturally encountered difficulties. Under the current Football Association's Power Strengthening Committee system, it is difficult to appoint a new coach, and there are also many views that this may only lead to unclear responsibility.

While Korean football drifted aimlessly, the world football community enjoyed a festival. The whole world was thrilled by Lionel Messi's last dance leading Argentina to the final, and the Invincible Armada Spain secured their ticket to the final with unprecedented midfield organization. Erling Haaland scored an incredible seven goals in his first World Cup, leading Norway to the quarter-finals and creating a festive atmosphere for his country. Cape Verde, making its debut in this tournament, surprised the world by staging a thrilling match against Argentina.

The month-long World Cup concluded with Spain preventing Argentina from winning the World Cup for the second consecutive time and lifting the championship trophy. For Spain, it was their first title since the 2010 tournament, 16 years later. With this, the World Cup completed all its schedule on July 20.

While the entire globe enjoyed a festival filled with cheers and emotion, Korean football fans were excluded from that warmth, forced to gaze only at wounds and a stained future. This is why this World Cup must be remembered as the most cruel and unfortunate tournament for Korea.

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*This content was translated by AI.