It's all Coach Hong Myung-bo's fault! Korean players who ruined the World Cup, no Big League transfer rumors except for Lee Kang-in
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- South Korean players, excluding Lee Kang-in, have not attracted transfer interest from major European leagues following the World Cup.
- The 2026 World Cup is impacting the European summer transfer market, with impressive players drawing attention from top clubs.
- Unlike other players, Lee Kang-in has been linked with moves to big leagues, while the rest of the national team has failed to make an impact.
South Korean players are struggling to secure transfers to major European leagues following the World Cup, with only Lee Kang-in generating significant interest. The 2026 World Cup has traditionally been a platform for players to showcase their talents and attract lucrative moves, but this year, the national team's performance has left most players overlooked by top clubs.
This is all because of coach Hong Myung-bo!
While players who impress on the global stage often see their transfer stock rise, the South Korean squad has largely failed to make a notable impact. This lack of standout performances means that clubs are hesitant to invest in new talent from the team. The contrast with Lee Kang-in, who has been the subject of transfer rumors linking him to big leagues, highlights the team's overall underperformance in the transfer market.
Except for Lee Kang-in (25), there are no transfer rumors for Korean players to the Big League.
The situation raises questions about the team's preparation and performance in the crucial tournament. With the European summer transfer window in full swing, the absence of transfer speculation surrounding most of the South Korean players suggests a disappointing outcome for their individual career aspirations and the national team's reputation on the international stage.
The 2026 World Cup is changing the landscape of the European football summer transfer market.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.