South Korea Coach Accepts Responsibility for Loss to South Africa at World Cup 2026

South Korea head coach Hong Myung‑bo reflected on his side’s disappointing 1‑0 loss to Bafana Bafana, a defeat that dealt a severe blow to the nation’s 2026 FIFA World Cup ambitions.

The Asian giants fell to South Africa in a must‑win Group A encounter on Thursday morning, South African time.

Korea needed only a draw to secure progression to the Round of 32, while Hugo Broos’s charges required all three points to keep their campaign alive.

Despite being viewed by many as underdogs, Bafana Bafana rose to the occasion, producing a disciplined and determined display that set up a last‑32 meeting with co‑hosts Canada.

Myung‑bo had warned before the match about the threat posed by South Africa, and after the defeat the experienced tactician blamed his own decision‑making rather than looking elsewhere for explanations.

“We always talk about just the results. In terms of the process of preparation and how we can put that onto the playing field, that is something that I had thought about,” Myung‑bo said, as quoted by SuperSport (via kickoff).

“Of course, if we had known the results already beforehand, then I probably would have made some different choices, but I had a strategy in mind,” the former defender added.

“Ultimately, it comes down to me. I guess I made the wrong decisions and that was the reason why we had a bad result. Nothing more, nothing less.”

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The 57‑year‑old also explained the reasoning behind introducing captain Son Heung‑min later in the match, despite the forward being regarded as the team’s biggest star.

“We thought that Son Heung‑min would be better‑placed when they were losing their energy, and when we could see more spaces,” he added.

“That’s why we wanted Son to be at his strongest, and the opponent to be a bit weaker.”

Despite the defeat, South Korea’s World Cup journey may not be over just yet.

The Asian side could still advance to the knockout rounds as one of the tournament’s eight best third‑placed teams, with their fate now dependent on results elsewhere.