South Korean football federation head steps down after World Cup exit

Chung Mong-gyu resigned as president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) on Monday, 6 July 2026, stepping down after 13 years and five months in the role.

The KFA said Chung submitted his resignation after chairing a final meeting with vice presidents and board members at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, south of Seoul.

Chung was first elected the KFA's 52nd president on 28 January 2013 and went on to serve four terms, making him the longest-serving head of Korean football's governing body.

He had originally planned to step down once the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended, but the KFA said he brought his departure forward to help normalise the situation surrounding the federation as soon as possible.

The decision follows weeks of turmoil triggered by South Korea's group-stage elimination from the World Cup and the resignation of national team coach Hong Myung-bo.

South Korea finished third in Group A with three points from three matches, a win over the Czech Republic and defeats to Mexico and South Africa, missing out on a place among the tournament's eight best third-placed sides.

The decisive defeat came against South Africa on 25 June 2026, when South Korea needed only a draw to advance automatically. Hong dropped captain Son Heung-min for the match, a decision that did not pay off and triggered immediate public uproar.

Hong resigned on 28 June 2026, a day after the elimination was confirmed, telling reporters in Zapopan, Mexico, that "the responsibility rests entirely with me as head coach."

His resignation came hours after President Lee Jae Myung publicly criticised football leadership as "incompetent" and called for reform of the country's sports administration.

Writing on social media platform X, Lee said he was "utterly baffled" by the team's performance, adding: "When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable."

Lee called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to investigate the team's failings, citing the use of taxpayer funds to support World Cup participation.

The backlash against Hong predated the tournament. He had been widely unpopular since his appointment in July 2024, with critics alleging the KFA bypassed a rigorous vetting process that had considered foreign candidates.

South Korea's National Assembly summoned Hong and KFA officials to parliamentary hearings over the appointment, and the MCST separately investigated the KFA, recommending disciplinary action against Chung and other senior executives.

The KFA has since been locked in a legal dispute with the ministry, which is now planning a further audit of the federation following the World Cup exit.

Under Article 23 of the KFA's charter, one of its vice presidents will act as president, subject to confirmation by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). The KFA said it would prepare a fair and orderly presidential election centred on the acting president.

In his farewell statement, Chung thanked citizens and members of the football community for their support and criticism of Korean football over the years.

"While shouldering the heavy responsibility of KFA president, I have run solely towards the development and glory of Korean football," he said. "At times I met your expectations, and at times I caused you deep disappointment."

Chung said he would now return to being "a passionate football fan" and continue supporting the national game.