Instead of rice cakes, 'dog gum' flew in... South Korean football ends on a bitter note beyond even despair [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] It is misery beyond despair. The South Korea national football team, which finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the humiliating result of being eliminated in the group stage, returned to Korean soil as if fleeing. There was no apology and no reflection. What remained was the fierce booing of angry fans and a piece of 'dog gum' thrown at Korea Football Association (KFA) chairman Jung Mong-gyu.
The team led by Hong Myung-bo returned through Incheon International Airport at around 3:52 a.m. on the 30th. It was the middle of the night, yet more than 50 fans were waiting in the arrivals hall. When Hong appeared after the long wait, they beat drums and shouted, "Hong Myung-bo, get out," and "Give back your salary and leave."
Hong, however, remained completely silent. He left the airport in a hurry without answering questions from reporters or the anger of fans. Jo Seong-geun, a football fan who was at the scene, said, "Even throwing eggs or rice cakes feels like a waste. I expected at least an apology to the public, but this was a petty display that showed no understanding of the public's feelings."

The Korea Football Association's response was also focused on hiding. For the first time since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, no official event was held on the return trip from an overseas World Cup. With more than 100 police officers deployed in case of trouble, the association ended up effectively admitting that it was a "guilty party."
The most symbolic scene was directed at chairman Jung Mong-gyu, who entered the arrivals hall late. An angry fan threw a piece of 'dog gum' onto the road where Jung was walking. The 'rice cakes' that flew during the 2014 FIFA World Cup have now been replaced by 'dog gum,' clearly showing that public sentiment toward South Korean football has hit rock bottom.

Even in the bleak atmosphere, however, there was no resentment toward the players who had sweated and bled on the pitch. As Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Lee Kang-in walked out of the arrivals hall with stern expressions, fans shouted, "Lee Kang-in, you worked hard" and "Go, players!" making it clear who they held responsible. (Captain Son Heung-min and some other overseas-based players are expected to return to their clubs or arrive separately.)
With a record of one win and two losses and a third-place finish in the group, Hong stepped down voluntarily after the bitter failure to advance to the round of 32. Yet the "silent return" of those in charge, without even an apology, will remain one of the most shameful scenes in the history of South Korean football.
[email protected] Junsang Il Reporter