South Korean President seeks investigation into FIFA World Cup failure, selection controversy
South Korea’s leader Lee Jae Myung has pledged to investigate the South Korean national team’s poor performance in the group stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and blamed their slip on favoritism and cronyism.
South Korea – which was widely tipped to continue to qualify for the knockout stage – lost two consecutive matches to Mexico and South Africa, leading to their defeat. The vicious blow went right through the heart and drew dismay from the whole nation and a direct skepticism of the appointment of man-management head coach Hong Myung-bo from the President himself.
Some of the statements in a highly critical posting on X did not mince words about how investigators Lewis’ style of coaching has been “haphazard,” and how football administrators are better off placing personal connections over merit.
The President continued that when “favoritism and cronyism can overcome competence when selecting a commander, it is as predictable as fire burning paper.
Lee claimed the World Cup failure was a sign of larger issues facing the sport in Korea. The exit was an “organisation and personnel failure” and the need to account for public money and government backing to the World Cup was highlighted, he said.
The President additionally called for the overhauling of the sports governance system that he noted requires democratic leadership structures, open decision-making and accountability structures and processes. He called on the sport bodies, including Korea Football Association, to take action in making more transparent election process for sports executives and enhance their responsibility for the important decision making.
Lee then made a request for authorities to investigate the World Cup situation of South Korea, the factors that brought their team down, and what could be done to ensure they don’t make the same mistake.
His words have brought about more pressure on the Korea Football Association and management of the team as South Korea was pulled out of the the tournament early.