▲ Fans protest as former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned after failing to reach the Round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, arrives at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 30th.
The national football team returned home to a chorus of jeers and protests from fans after being eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
Following the conclusion of their World Cup schedule, the team returned in separate groups. Head coach Hong Myung-bo and several players were the first to arrive at Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 30th.
Although the flight carrying Hong and the others was expected to arrive around 4:00 a.m., fans were spotted at the airport one to two hours before the scheduled landing, alongside members of the press.
By the time the arrival drew near, the crowd had grown to approximately 300 people.
The scene was chaotic, with numerous individual YouTubers broadcasting live long before the team appeared.
In this tournament, the team led by Hong finished third in Group A with one win and two losses (3 points), failing to advance to the 32-nation knockout stage.
Criticism toward Hong, the team, and the Korea Football Association (KFA) had been mounting since their lackluster 0-1 loss to South Africa in the third group match on the 25th (Korea Standard Time), and the intensity grew even stronger once their elimination was confirmed.
Unlike the 2014 Brazil tournament, where the team was also eliminated in the group stage with one draw and two losses, the KFA did not hold a separate arrival ceremony for the team this time.
With the atmosphere tense enough that posts hinting at threats against Hong had appeared online, over 100 police officers were deployed to the arrival hall to prepare for any potential incidents.
Twelve years ago, when the team led by Hong failed to reach the Round of 16, fans threw candy at the arrival hall in mockery, but no such items appeared this time.
However, the area remained noisy throughout, filled with shouting, swearing, and the sound of drums, with chants such as "Hong Myung-bo out" and "Return your salary."
As the wait dragged on after news of the flight's arrival, complaints such as "Why aren't they coming out?" could be heard from various corners.
When Hong and the players finally entered the arrival hall alongside Park Hang-seo, the head of the national team support staff, and KFA executive director Kim Seung-hee, the shouting and booing from fans intensified.
Some fans shouted words of encouragement, saying "Let's not criticize the players," "Fighting," and "You worked hard."
Amid the mix of shouting, swearing, and encouragement, Hong and the players left the arrival hall with stern expressions. Fans remained in place, continuing to shout and swear until the vehicles carrying the players and the bus carrying KFA officials departed.
While the paths of the fans and the team were separated at the arrival hall, some pre-selected reporters followed Hong, asking questions such as "Do you have anything to say to the fans?" but Hong did not provide any response.
Some fans expressed their frustration, saying, "He didn't take any questions at the press conference in Mexico where he announced his resignation, and he didn't say anything today either."
After the team left the airport, the KFA announced through a media notice that they had "informed the media in advance that only sketch footage would be allowed at the airport upon arrival."
About 40 minutes after Hong and the team departed, KFA President Chung Mong-gyu arrived on a different flight.
It was reported that a man threw an object, identified as a dog chew toy, toward President Chung.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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