South Korea Head Coach: "I Take Responsibility for the Defeat

Hong Myung-bo took full responsibility after South Korea’s 1-0 defeat by South Africa in their final Group A match at the 2026 World Cup.

The result left South Korea on three points in third place, meaning they now have to wait for the rest of the group stage to finish before knowing whether they progress to the round of 16.

Hong did not offer excuses after the match. “I misjudged and made the wrong decisions, which is why we did not get a good result,” he said. “That is all there is to it.”

He added that the outcome sits with the manager at a major tournament. “In the end, I made all the decisions, so if the result is not good, responsibility is mine.”

One of his biggest calls was leaving Son Heung-min on the bench. It was the first time Son had not started a World Cup match since his debut at the 2014 finals. Hong said he wanted to bring him on in the second half, when South Africa’s physical level might drop and space would open up.

Hong also said South Korea’s problems went beyond selection, pointing to poor midfield errors, a loss of confidence after conceding and too much urgency in attack.