In a surprising turn of events, the South Korean national football team has disbanded in Mexico after a disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup. The team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, faced a heart-wrenching defeat, finishing their group stage with only one win and two losses, including a 0-1 setback against South Africa.

After their early exit, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced that there would be no welcome ceremony or press conference for the team upon their return. This marks a significant departure from tradition, as it has been 24 years since the KFA did not hold any formal event for the national team returning from a World Cup.

The South Korean players, including notable names such as Kim Min-jae and Son Heung-min, expressed deep disappointment over their performance. The team had aimed to advance to the knockout stage but was officially eliminated after the Democratic Republic of Congo's victory over Uzbekistan, which extinguished their hopes.

Coach Hong Myung-bo conducted a final interview in Mexico before the team's disbandment but did not address the media further. The lack of a welcome ceremony is unprecedented, especially considering that even during their poor performance in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the team was greeted by fans at the airport.

As the team prepares to return home, the KFA has canceled the charter flight initially arranged for a journey post-knockout stage. The players will return individually, with some scheduled to arrive before June 30.

This World Cup was particularly significant as it featured 48 teams for the first time, making South Korea's inability to advance from the group stage a particularly severe disappointment. The future of coach Hong Myung-bo is now uncertain, with media criticism mounting regarding his leadership and the team's internal issues during the tournament.