The South Korean national football team’s campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded prematurely at the group stage, an outcome that has fueled speculation about the international retirement of their influential captain and star forward, Son Heung-min. This early exit marks a disappointing end for a team that had hoped for a deeper run in the tournament.
After a tense three-day wait to see if they would qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, South Korea’s hopes were ultimately dashed, confirming their elimination. In their Group A matches, South Korea managed to secure only three points. Their journey began positively with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening fixture. However, subsequent matches proved challenging, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to host nation Mexico and another 1-0 loss to South Africa.
The final defeat against South Africa was particularly painful, drawing significant criticism from both fans and the South Korean media, directed primarily at head coach Hong Myung Bo. Much of the criticism centered on the coach’s controversial decision to bench captain Son Heung-min during this crucial match. This tactical choice was widely perceived as having deprived the team of its primary attacking threat, making it exceedingly difficult for them to create scoring opportunities and secure a much-needed victory. South Korea ultimately finished third in Group A with three points, trailing behind group leaders Mexico (who secured nine points) and second-placed South Africa (with four points).
The magnitude of this World Cup failure has intensified discussions regarding the 33-year-old forward’s future with the national team. Son Heung-min, a renowned Asian football figure, currently plays his club football in the United States for Los Angeles FC, a move that some speculate could be a precursor to his eventual retirement from the sport. According to reports from the South Korean media outlet The Daily Sports Chosun, the former Tottenham Hotspur star, who has scored 56 goals for his national team, is expected to announce his international retirement in the near future.
Meanwhile, another Asian representative, Iran, also saw their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey come to an end. Playing in Group G, Iran secured three points after drawing with strong teams including Egypt, Belgium, and New Zealand. Their elimination was confirmed following a 3-3 draw between Austria and Algeria, a result that saw Algeria accumulate four points and secure their passage to the Round of 32.
