*This content was translated by AI.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, the South Korean national football team eliminated in the group stage and the Japanese national team eliminated in the Round of 32 were both selected as teams that greatly disappointed their citizens.
On the 22nd, Japanese football specialist media Foot Channel named ten teams, including South Korea and its own Japan national team, among the worst teams of this World Cup for completely betraying public expectations.
Regarding the South Korean national team, the outlet noted: "They set out with the goal of reaching the quarterfinals, fielding players at the highest level ever seen, such as Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), but ultimately only managed to be eliminated in the group stage."
It further stated: "The results of this tournament have been received as a major shock in South Korean society. At the time of the draw, cheers were heard that it was the best possible group assignment, yet on the field, tactical deficiencies and a serious lack of decisiveness were fully exposed."
The outlet added: "In the match against South Africa, which determined advancement to the Round of 32, a draw would have sufficed, but they failed to break through the defense of an opponent rated as inferior. This shocking result led Korean media to launch intense criticism, and harsh condemnation was also directed at head coach Hong Myung-bo's tactical decisions."
Foot Channel further pointed out: "Just before the tournament, South Korea had been ranked 44th among 48 nations in The Guardian's power rankings. Contrary to their pledge to surprise the world, they concluded the tournament as a 'complete failure' that only disappointed their own fans."
However, the outlet did not single out only South Korea from Asia. Japan's own national team was also selected as a team that "completely betrayed expectations" at this World Cup.
Foot Channel criticized: "Japan set an overly ambitious goal of winning the championship and challenged on the world stage. With elite members active in major European leagues, everyone expected them to be the strongest team ever. Yet while expectations reached their peak, reality ended in the Round of 32. The long-cherished dream of a first knockout-stage victory failed again this time."
The outlet remarked: "Of course, considering the individual skill gap against Brazil (their Round of 32 opponent), the result may have been inevitable. However, what disappointed fans was the failure to feel that they had narrowed the gap with world-class teams. Four years ago at the Qatar tournament, Japan stunned the world by defeating Germany and Spain, igniting excitement across the country."
It continued: "However, in this tournament, Japan managed only a single victory against Tunisia, failing to produce any upsets against Netherlands or Brazil. If they truly considered themselves the strongest team ever, then at minimum expecting a first knockout-stage win would have been natural. Instead, only a bitter gap between expectations and reality remained."
Foot Channel also listed Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay, Brazil, Turkey, Ecuador, and Czech Republic as teams that failed to meet public expectations in this tournament, alongside South Korea and Japan.
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*This content was translated by AI.
