Son Heung-min Apologizes After South Korea’s World Cup Exit
South Korea’s captain Son Heung-min issued a heartfelt apology to fans following the team’s unexpected elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the group stage. The early exit came as a shock to many supporters and pundits who had anticipated a stronger showing from the Asian side.
South Korea failed to advance to the knockout rounds despite finishing third in their group, as only the top two teams and the best third-placed teams qualified for the next stage. Their campaign was dented by a surprising 1-0 loss to South Africa, a lower-ranked team, in their final group match, which dashed their hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Son, a former Tottenham Hotspur captain and widely regarded as one of Asia’s top football talents, was notably benched during the first half of that match. He entered the game in the second half but could not overturn the deficit. The result sparked criticism of South Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo, who soon resigned in the aftermath of the exit.
Taking to Instagram, Son expressed deep regret and took responsibility for the team’s performance, stating that it was difficult to accept the outcome. “I honestly don’t know where to begin. I can’t pretend nothing happened, and I don’t want to run away from reality,” he wrote. He extended his sincerest apologies to both the people of South Korea and supporters of the national football team.
Son acknowledged the weight of expectations that surrounded his fourth World Cup appearance and the uncertainty regarding his future with the national team. Though he did not directly address possible retirement, he committed to regaining the trust and support of fans. “Rather than try to express everything in words now, I will do everything I can, from where I stand, to win back the hearts of the South Korean people and football fans,” he affirmed.
The 33-year-old forward, who will turn 34 next month, promised to fight with all his strength to bring joy to his supporters once again. The South Korean football community now faces the challenge of rebuilding after a disappointing World Cup performance and moving forward under new leadership.