South Korea out of World Cup; players miss out on bonus

South Korea's journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, with the team failing to progress beyond the group stage. Their elimination means players will receive a reduced bonus payment, capping their earnings at 80 million South Korean won per player.

This amount falls short of the 100 million won bonus they would have secured had they advanced to the Round of 32. The team's performance in Group A saw them finish with one win and two losses, resulting in a -2 goal difference. This placed them third in their group and ultimately ranked 34th overall in the tournament, ending their World Cup aspirations.

According to South Korean media outlet 'Sports Kyunghyang,' the 80 million won prize money consists of a base allowance of 50 million won, supplemented by an additional 30 million won awarded for their victory in the opening group stage match. The team's inability to secure a spot among the top eight third-placed teams dashed their hopes of advancing further.