Ki Sung-yueng Says Korea's World Cup Exit Calls for Reform: "Everyone in Football Must Wake Up"

[Financial News] Ki Sung-yueng, a former captain of the South Korea national football team, criticized the team's early exit from the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in North America, saying that "everyone in football must wake up."
On the 17th, tvN's entertainment program "You Quiz on the Block" released a preview video through its official account under the title, "Former national team captain Ki Sung-yueng shares what he felt watching the North America World Cup."
In the video, when MC Yoo Jae-suk said, "I went to Mexico to watch the North America World Cup, and many people are disappointed with the result of this tournament," Ki Sung-yueng expressed his regret.
He said, "Fortunately, I only watched the first match against the Czech Republic and came back. The result was so good that even by the time I returned to Korea, people were talking about whether we would advance as group winners or finish second." He added, "I met the players and cheered them on a lot, but for it to end like this is very disappointing as someone who has experienced the World Cup."
He went on to say, "I fully understand why the public is disappointed," and added, "I hope Korean football will undergo major reform going forward."
He continued, "Everyone in football really needs to wake up. There is a lot we need to reflect on," and said, "I am also part of the football world, but it makes me ask whether I truly did my best for Korean football."
Ki Sung-yueng previously played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He led the national team as captain at the 2018 tournament.
gaa1003@fnnews.com Ahn Ga-eul Reporter