Hong Myung-bo's Team to Make 'Stealth Return' with No Airport Event for the First Time in Away World Cup History [2026 World Cup]

The South Korean national soccer team led by coach Hong Myung-bo, which was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, will return to Korea on June 30.

Yonhap News Agency

The Korea Football Association announced on June 28 that the national team, under coach Hong Myung-bo, will arrive back in Korea via Incheon International Airport on the morning of June 30. The association added, "There will be no official welcome event upon arrival." This is the first time the national team is returning from an away World Cup without an event at the airport.

Even during the 2014 Brazil World Cup, when the team led by coach Hong Myung-bo was eliminated in the group stage with one draw and two losses, a welcome event was held. At that time, during the welcome event at Incheon International Airport, soccer fans threw yeot (Korean taffy) at coach Hong Myung-bo and the players.

Players of the South Korean national soccer team participating in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup are listening to coach Hong Myung-bo's instructions before training at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico, on the morning of the 27th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

According to the association, coach Hong will return together with eight players—Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan), Kim Minjae (Bayern Munich), Hwang Inbeom (Feyenoord), Hwang Heechan (Wolverhampton), Baek Seungho (Birmingham City), Kim Moonhwan (Daejeon), Lee Kangin (Paris Saint-Germain), and Seol Youngwoo (Crvena Zvezda)—departing from Guadalajara, Mexico on June 28, transiting through the United States, and arriving at Incheon International Airport.

The association also stated that the other players, including captain Son Heungmin (Los Angeles FC), will return to Korea in groups by July 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.