Outgoing coach Hong Myung-bo faces boos at Incheon Airport after World Cup exit

June 29, 2026

Former coach Hong Myung-bo and players arrived at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday to boos from fans after South Korea's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Former head coach Hong Myung-bo arrived at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday with nine players, a day after announcing his resignation in Mexico. He took responsibility for the team's group-stage exit.

South Korea finished third in Group A with three points after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic and 1-0 losses to Mexico and South Africa. The team placed 10th among third-place sides and missed the knockout stage.

PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and Wolverhampton attacker Hwang Hee-chan were among those returning. Hundreds of fans booed, shouting "Hong Myung-bo, get out," and displayed a banner reading "Korean football is dead." The Korea Football Association skipped its usual welcome ceremony.

What people are saying

Fans voiced strong disappointment through boos, chants of 'Hong Myung-bo out', and insults directed at the outgoing coach upon arrival at Incheon Airport. Several posts noted that players received applause and encouragement in contrast to the coach's reception. Reactions emphasized the intense backlash after South Korea's group-stage exit and calls for change in Korean football. Some users highlighted the coach's ruined legacy and desire for his permanent departure from the sport. Media accounts shared videos and photos documenting the tense scenes without physical incidents.

🚨 | 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐍

Hong and several players arrived at 4AM hoping to avoid protesters, but a large crowd was waiting. 🤯

Fans banged drums, chanted "Hong Myung-bo out!" & hurled curses/insults at the coach. 🫡🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/X2XWlEjLGW

— Joel Kim (@KNTFootball) June 29, 2026

Hong Myung-bo and several South Korean national team players arrived at Incheon Airport around 4 a.m. hoping to avoid protesters.

It didn’t work.

Hundreds of fans were already waiting, banging drums, chanting “Hong Myung-bo out!” and hurling insults at the national team coach.…

— Kangmin Lee | 이강민 (@kangminlee) June 29, 2026

Hong Myung-bo 🇰🇷 arrived in Korea at the dead of night, but the fans were waiting for him with signs and hurling insults at the coach.

Glad he got home safe, but his legacy has officially been ruined.

Please never work in Korean football again. pic.twitter.com/Cqet6n6Wiw

— BibimBallers (@BibimBallers) June 29, 2026

Following South Korea's group-stage exit at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo and several players returned to Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 on Tuesday morning.⁠
⁠
Despite the early hour, frustrated fans greeted Hong with boos and jeers.⁠
⁠
In… pic.twitter.com/RDgnNVnaiv

— The Korea Herald 코리아헤럴드 (@TheKoreaHerald) June 29, 2026

🚨Breaking: Hong Myung-bo and several Korea players arrived at Incheon Airport at 4AM, hoping to avoid protesters, but a large crowd was already waiting.

Fans banged drums, chanted Myung bo out! And hurled curses and insults at the head coach. 😳 pic.twitter.com/xSRncv4ofZ

— Kara (@UTDKarra) June 29, 2026

Sources

• https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260630/outgoing-coach-natl-team-players-return-home-to-boos-after-early-world-cup-exit
• https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260630/can-the-korean-soccer-family-really-change-its-mentality
• https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260630000300315