Seoul soul-searching after World Cup exit
On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. We also ask our Sports Editor why China hasn't mana
On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. W
Read Full Story at France 24 →Why This Matters
South Korea’s World Cup exit has exposed deeper fractures in the country’s football identity, where the national team’s performance is often seen as a barometer of national pride. The backlash reflects broader frustrations with the sport’s governance, commercialization, and the gap between expectations and reality on the global stage.
Background Context
Football in South Korea carries the weight of a post-war recovery narrative, where the 2002 World Cup co-hosting with Japan marked a turning point from underdog to regional powerhouse. Yet the current generation of players, despite high-profile stints in European leagues, struggles to replicate the success of predecessors like Park Ji-sung or Son Heung-min’s early career peaks.
What Happens Next
The Football Association of Korea may face calls for structural reforms, from youth development programs to domestic league standards. Meanwhile, public scrutiny will intensify on whether the "Son Heung-min effect" can sustain long-term growth or if the country’s football system remains trapped in a cycle of hype followed by disappointment.
Bigger Picture
South Korea’s World Cup exit aligns with a regional trend where rising economic and soft-power ambitions outpace sporting consistency, as seen in Japan and Saudi Arabia’s aggressive investments. The backlash also mirrors global disillusionment with high-stakes football, where fleeting moments of glory rarely translate into lasting systemic change.
