![[EXPLAINER] How KFA mismanagement led to Korea's worst World Cup result](https://svnmorningnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/cluster_113543455901852.webp)
The Korea Football Association (KFA) and its president, Chung Mong-gyu, are facing increased scrutiny following Korea‘s failure to advance past the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The national team’s 34th-place finish out of 48 nations marks the country’s lowest ranking in World Cup history, drawing attention to what critics describe as years of mismanagement within the KFA.
Issues highlighted include a pattern of opaque hiring decisions and procedural breakdowns that reportedly sidelined the KFA’s own committee responsible for national team development. This has led to significant criticism from various quarters, including political figures and fans.
Coaching appointment controversies
The KFA’s coaching appointments have been a central point of contention. In 2023, Jurgen Klinsmann was named head coach of the Korean men’s national football team. His tenure quickly drew criticism for the limited time he spent in Korea during his initial months, reportedly spending much of his time at his home in the United States.
Klinsmann was dismissed the following year after the team’s exit from the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semifinals and ongoing concerns about his work ethic. The KFA reportedly paid a substantial amount to buy out his contract.
Following Klinsmann’s departure, the KFA appointed Hong Myung-bo, then manager of K League 1‘s Ulsan HD FC, as the new national team head coach in July 2024, after five months under interim coaches. This appointment, however, immediately faced accusations of not adhering to proper procedures.
KFA statutes require the head coach to be recommended by the National Team Committee, an advisory body, and then approved by the board. In May 2024, the committee had reportedly ranked Jesse Marsch, former manager of English Premier League club Leeds United, as its top candidate, with Jesus Casas, then head coach of the Iraqi national team, listed second.
After the committee chairperson, Chung Hae-sung, resigned, Lee Lim-saeng, the KFA’s former technical director, was granted full authority by KFA president Chung and subsequently appointed Hong. A former national team player and committee member, Park Joo-ho, later alleged in a video that many members had opposed foreign coach candidates and that deliberations were steered towards appointing Hong, with Park stating he was unaware of the decision until its announcement.
Political and fan backlash
The growing controversy prompted the National Assembly to summon Chung for questioning twice in 2024, during a parliamentary inquiry and an audit. Lawmakers criticized both coaching appointments as disorganized and unprincipled. One representative, Bae Hyun-jin of the People Power Party, mentioned rumors of a university alumni cartel influencing the appointments, referencing Korea University, which Chung, Hong, and several other key KFA officials attended.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also sought disciplinary action against Chung for his alleged improper involvement in the appointments. However, the KFA refused, taking the matter to court, where a ruling in April went against Chung at the first instance.
Fan dissatisfaction was also evident. During Korea’s World Cup qualifier against Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium in September 2024, official supporters displayed a banner reading “The Dark Age of Korean Football” and chanted for Chung Mong-gyu’s removal.
The mounting pressure led Chung to announce in May that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup, concluding a 13-year tenure as KFA president, despite his term extending through early 2029. Hong Myung-bo also stepped down on Sunday, taking responsibility for the team’s group stage exit. Korea’s elimination from the group stage followed a tournament where they finished third in Group A with three points from one win and two losses. They opened the tournament by beating the Czech Republic 2-1 on June 11, but then lost to Mexico 1-0 and South Africa 1-0.
The team’s tournament was also affected by a dispute between the squad and local media, and a drone reportedly interfered with a training session before the defeat to Mexico. Korea also fell to 32nd in the FIFA men’s world rankings on Monday, marking its lowest position since December 2021.
In the expanded World Cup format, with 48 nations, the eight best third-place teams advance to the knockout stage. Korea finished third in Group A with three points, but ultimately did not rank among the top eight third-place teams after the group stage concluded on Saturday.
Iran and Scotland also missed out on the last 32, with Iran exiting undefeated after three draws in Group G. Senegal was the only third-place team to advance with three points, largely due to a 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final group game.
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Source: koreatimes.co.kr
