Son Heung-min, Hwang In-beom and Lee Gi-hyeok celebrate the opening goal during South Korea's Group A opener against Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on June 11 (local time) at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]
Son Heung-min, Hwang In-beom and Lee Gi-hyeok celebrate the opening goal during South Korea's Group A opener against Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on June 11 (local time) at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a message of encouragement to South Korea's national football team after it failed to advance to the round of 32 at the 2026 North America World Cup.

Infantino posted on his social media account Sunday (local time) that the team "gave a great gift to fans watching and to the whole world" by staging a comeback victory against Czech Republic in the tournament's season opener.

He shared a photo of Son Heung-min, Hwang In-beom and Lee Gi-hyeok embracing in celebration after South Korea's first goal, captioning it with the words "Thank you."

He also posted photos of forward Oh Hyeon-gyu beaming as coaching staff celebrated with him after his go-ahead goal, South Korean supporters cheering in the stands, and match scenes from the subsequent Group A fixtures against Mexico and South Africa.

Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom celebrate. [Yonhap]
Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom celebrate. [Yonhap]

"You shone both on and off the pitch, sharing countless unforgettable moments with football fans in the host cities," Infantino wrote. "I wish you all the best in what comes next, and I look forward to seeing you again on the road to 2030."

South Korea was placed in Group A and opened with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic, but fell 0-1 to both Mexico and South Africa, finishing third in the group with three points from one win and two losses.

A draw in their final match against South Africa would have secured a place in the round of 32. Instead, the defeat left South Korea needing results elsewhere to claim one of the eight third-place qualifying spots — a scenario that ultimately did not go their way.


ygmoon@heraldcorp.com