Players gathered in small groups to watch Congo DR match on TV, fell silent as decisive third goal sealed their fate

South Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo watches players train at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, on Friday (local time), ahead of the team's decisive day at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]
South Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo watches players train at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, on Friday (local time), ahead of the team's decisive day at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]

South Korea's World Cup squad, who had been anxiously watching television screens while waiting on a set of scenarios that could have sent them through to the round of 32, finally bowed their heads Sunday.

The national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, was at their accommodation in Zapopan, Mexico, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time) watching the final Group K match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan when the moment of elimination arrived.

Heading into the match, South Korea were clinging to eighth place — just on the cutoff line for a third-place wild card berth in the round of 32. For Korea to advance, Congo, third in Group K with one draw and one loss, needed to fail to beat Uzbekistan, who had lost both their games. Only then would neither team surpass Korea in points or goal difference.

According to a team official, the squad watched the match together over dinner. After the meal, some players stayed in the dining area to keep their eyes on the screen, while others scattered to their rooms and gathered in small groups to follow the rest of the game.

With Korea's fate riding on a match in another group, the players watched with nerves throughout. But when Congo came from behind against Uzbekistan, scored a go-ahead goal and then added another to win 3-1, those watching the screen were left stunned and despondent, according to the official.

And so the Taeguk Warriors' journey through North America ended in heavy silence in front of a television screen.

Korea had needed only a draw against South Africa in their final Group A match to reach the round of 32, but suffered a 1-0 defeat and dropped to third in the group with three points. With a direct path to the knockout stage gone, the squad returned to their base camp and could only wait anxiously on results elsewhere.


yjc@heraldcorp.com