What changed
2026-07-30 04:33 UTC → 2026-08-02 16:07 UTC ·
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South Korea’s Following the 1‑0 defeat loss to South Africa that eliminated the team South Korea from the 2026 World Cup, dropping its FIFA ranking to 32nd – the lowest since December 2021 Cup and the first time the side fell outside triggered the top 30 in nearly four years. Players issued public apologies and resignation of coach Hong Myung‑bo formally resigned. Hong returned to Seoul to prepare for testimony before Myung‑bo, the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. The hearing, now set for Committee convened a parliamentary hearing on 30 June, will feature Hong, former KFA president Jeong Mong‑kyu and other officials, July. Former coach Hong and will examine federation governance, ex‑KFA president Chung Mong‑gyu appeared before lawmakers, accepted responsibility for the coach‑selection process early exit and apologized to the controversial exclusion of midfielder Lee Seung‑woo. public. The Korean Sports Council has approved Lee Yong‑su, the KFA’s deputy chairman, to serve as acting head after Jeong’s resignation, aiming to stabilise session focused on alleged governance failures, including a controversy over Hong’s use of the federation ahead KFA corporate credit card, where roughly 37 % of 37.4 million won in charges were flagged as potentially personal spending. Chung also addressed criticism for not delivering a pending presidential election and upcoming international competitions. Former players continue pledged 5 billion‑won donation to call a football centre. A separate hearing scheduled for systemic change, urging 30 June faced a mass boycott, with most slated witnesses submitting non‑attendance notices, raising concerns that the adoption inquiry could lack substantive testimony. Lawmakers warned that the absence of foreign expertise and key figures might impede a break from entrenched KFA interests. The government‑appointed K‑Football Innovation Committee, chaired by ex‑stars full examination of systemic issues such as Park Ji‑sung, is proceeding with broader reforms of governance factionalism, coach‑appointment procedures and training practices. FIFA’s post‑World Cup assessment echoed domestic concerns, stating that South Korea must rebuild its national team. administrative misconduct. The report highlighted Hong’s departure, veteran striker Son Heung‑min’s impending retirement and the need to develop a new generation centred parliamentary scrutiny underscores mounting political pressure on midfielder Lee Kang‑in. FIFA urged the KFA to focus on youth development implement governance reforms, improve transparency and rebuild the national team ahead of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup cycle. In late July, FIFA reiterated this call in its technical report on the 2026 tournament, emphasizing that Lee Kang‑in should be the core of future squads and that stronger youth pathways are essential for better continental and global results. cycles.