South Korea Reach World Cup Last 32 Despite Son Struggles and Off-Field Controversy
South Korea have made it through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, but their group stage has been anything but smooth. According to The Guardian, Hong Myung-bo’s side needed at least a draw against South Africa in Monterrey to guarantee second place in Group A — and they got the point they required.
The Taegeuk Warriors opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Czechia, a result that briefly lifted spirits around a squad that had arrived in Mexico with patchy recent form and modest expectations. But that optimism was quickly tempered. South Korea were beaten 1-0 by co-hosts Mexico in their second match after a costly error from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu handed the hosts a goal and top spot in the group.
For all the attention on the team’s results, much of the noise around South Korea’s World Cup has centred on captain Son Heung-min. The former Tottenham forward, now playing for Los Angeles FC and approaching his 34th birthday before the quarter-final stage, has looked short of his best. He was substituted before the hour mark in both the Czechia and Mexico games, and his preferred central role has drawn scrutiny back home.
There is growing debate in South Korea over whether Oh Hyeon-gyu — currently in strong form for Besiktas — should start from the off, with Son shifted wider. Oh came off the bench to score the decisive goal against Czechia, adding further fuel to that discussion.
Off the pitch, the squad was plunged into a media storm after footage from a training session on 7 June captured a journalist apparently mocking Son’s military service record. Son earned exemption from South Korea’s mandatory 21-month military service by helping the country win gold at the 2018 Asian Games, though he did complete basic training in 2020. In response, the Korea Football Association issued a statement expressing regret over what it called “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel,” and the squad temporarily refused to engage with domestic press.
Military service remains a deeply sensitive subject in South Korea, and The Guardian notes that public support for exemptions granted to sports stars appears to be waning.
In a separate incident, the Mexican military shot down a drone that had been hovering over one of South Korea’s training sessions — an episode that did little to ease the tension around the camp.
With the group stage now behind them, South Korea will hope for a more settled build-up to the round of 32. For the latest on where they sit in the bracket, check out our World Cup 2026 hub and live standings.