Ex‑captain Ki Sung-yong urges Korean football reform after World Cup loss

Former South Korea captain Ki Sung-yong, now a player for Pohang Steelers, said Korean football must “wake up” and undergo major reform after the national team’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at a media day in Pohang, he expressed disappointment, noting that “the public’s disappointment is understandable” and questioning whether he himself had done enough for Korean football.

His comments coincide with a wave of criticism that led to KFA president Chung Mong-kyu stepping down and the creation of a “K‑football Innovation Committee” aimed at overhauling the sport’s governance in the country.