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Son Heung-min, South Korea’s 33-year-old captain and the most decorated Korean footballer of his generation, watched from the bench as his team lost to South Africa in a group-stage match that now threatens to end their 2026 World Cup campaign before it truly began. The decision to sit Son has ignited a firestorm of criticism back home, compounding what was already a turbulent tournament for the squad.
A gamble born from frustration
To understand why Hong made such a drastic call, you have to rewind to South Korea’s opening match. On June 12, the team edged past Czechia 2-1, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu finding the net. Son, despite being the focal point of the attack, failed to convert his scoring chances. For a player who built his reputation on clinical finishing during years at Tottenham and now plies his trade at LAFC, the misses were conspicuous. Hong apparently saw enough to warrant a change.
Off-field turmoil muddying the waters
The squad had already been dealing with a self-inflicted media crisis that added layers of tension to an already high-pressure environment. On June 7, during a training session, Son’s military service record became the subject of mockery. The fallout was swift and dramatic. The entire squad imposed a media blackout, essentially cutting off communication with journalists in the days leading up to tournament play.
Military service is a deeply sensitive topic in South Korean culture, and for its star footballer in particular. Son famously completed his mandatory service during the COVID-19 pandemic after South Korea’s gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games granted him an exemption from the standard 21-month stint.
For Hong Myung-bo, who returned to the coaching role after previously managing the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the combination of media controversy and a bold lineup decision has put his leadership under intense scrutiny.
What this means for South Korea’s World Cup hopes
South Korea now sits in a precarious position in their group. The opening victory over Czechia gave them three points, but the loss to South Africa means their path to the knockout rounds likely depends on their final group match.
This is Son’s fourth World Cup, a milestone that underscores both his longevity and the fleeting nature of these opportunities. At 33, there’s a reasonable chance this is his last shot at deep tournament success on the international stage.
The squad itself has talent beyond Son. Kim Min-jae remains one of the best center-backs in world football, and Hwang Hee-chan offers pace and directness in attack.
South Korean football has a proud World Cup history, most famously the semi-final run on home soil in 2002. The current squad entered this World Cup with genuine belief that they could make a mark, but that belief is now being tested by internal decisions that have created unnecessary turbulence.
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