South Korea eliminated from World Cup after group stage failure

South Korea's hopes for the 2026 World Cup were dashed after a 0-1 loss to South Africa in their final group stage match. The team finished third in Group A with three points, failing to secure a spot in the 32-team knockout stage. They ranked 10th among the 12 third-place teams eligible for advancement.

Despite the loss, South Korea initially held onto a slim chance of advancing, relying on the outcomes of other matches. However, their elimination was confirmed after all group stage games concluded. This marks the first time since the 2018 World Cup that South Korea has failed to progress beyond the group stage.

The team's performance in this tournament represents their worst-ever result in a World Cup. With a final standing of 34th place, it surpasses their previous lowest ranking of 30th in the 1998 France World Cup. While their debut in the 1954 Switzerland World Cup saw them finish last among 16 teams with a goal difference of -16, the current performance is considered a significant setback, especially after aiming for a quarter-final finish.