Hong Myung‑bo criticised after South Korea’s 0‑1 loss to South Africa

South Korea’s national team suffered a 0‑1 defeat against South Africa in the final group‑stage match of the 2026 FIFA North‑Central America World Cup qualifying tournament. The loss left Korea with one win and two defeats, dropping to third place in Group A and requiring a favorable result elsewhere to reach the knockout stage.

Former commentator Park Moon‑sung publicly condemned head coach Hong Myung‑bo on Instagram and YouTube, alleging a complete lack of tactical planning and blaming the coach for the players’ poor performance. FIFA’s official Insight column echoed the criticism, highlighting the team’s passive tactics, a dramatically high PPDA (28.17 in the first half), and even floated the unprecedented possibility of Hong’s resignation.

Both sources point to the coach’s strategic choices as the primary factor behind the defeat and the uncertain path ahead for the Korean side.