No homecoming ceremony as Korea exits early from World Cup: KFA

The head coach and players of Korea’s national football team — who were brutally outclassed in the FIFA World Cup 2026 — are set to return to their homeland empty-handed on Tuesday, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said on Sunday.

“There will be no official greeting events,” the KFA said.

This marks the squad’s first arrival without a welcoming ceremony since the 2002 World Cup, which took place in Korea and Japan.

Even after Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the association still hosted a welcoming event for the team. But people waiting at the airport showered head coach Hong Myung-bo — who also led the national team that year and resigned several days after the team’s loss — with yeot (Korean taffy), which often symbolizes a dismissive insult.

Along with Hong, eight footballers are set to depart Guadalajara on Sunday, transfer flights in the United States and arrive at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. 

The eight are Jo Hyeon-woo of Ulsan HD, Kim Min-jae of FC Bayern Munich, Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord Rotterdam, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City, Kim Moon-hwan of Daejeon Hana Citizen, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain and Seol Young-woo of Crvena Zvezda.

Some overseas club-based footballers are anticipated to return to their clubs or their respective countries.

“The association is coordinating travel for the remaining players […] so they can return by [Wednesday],” the KFA said.

Korea finished 34th among 48 teams at this year’s World Cup. It failed to advance to the knockout stage.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]