South Korea's FIFA Ranking Drops to 32nd After World Cup Exit; Team to Receive $1.7 Million in Prize Money

The South Korean men's national football team has seen its FIFA ranking plummet to 32nd following its exit from the 2026 World Cup group stage. This drop represents the team's lowest standing since February 2022, a significant decline from their starting position of 25th in the tournament.

The team's ranking has fallen 10 places since coach Hong Myung-bo commenced his second term on July 13, 2024. The current ranking of 32nd places them precariously, with the possibility of being overtaken by teams like Sweden (36th), Paraguay (37th), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (41st), all of whom advanced to the round of 32.

Despite the on-field struggles, the South Korean squad is set to receive substantial prize money. According to the Korea Football Association's payout plan announced on May 25, each of the 26 squad members will receive a base allowance of 50 million won. Combined with a 30 million won bonus for their victory against the Czech Republic, each player's total earnings will reach 80 million won.

However, the team will not receive any prize money for advancing in the tournament's knockout stages, which ranged from 100 million won for reaching the round of 32 to a maximum of 600 million won for winning the championship. The disappointing group stage exit means these potential bonuses are forfeited.