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By Andrew McCarty
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The 2026 World Cup was a disaster for the South Korean men's team.
After winning its opening match against Mexico, the team lost each of its next two group stage games including a final loss to South Africa that knocked the team out of contention for a Round of 32 spot.
Not long after being eliminated from the tournament, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday and President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the team's performance. Just a few days later, team captain Son Heung-min was left apologizing to fans for his team's performance.
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"I don't know where to begin," Son wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday., external "I can't pretend [nothing happened], and I don't want to escape reality. First of all, I would like to say sorry to all the Korean people and to the fans who love football."
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"It was a competition that was more important to me than anyone else, and the 'child's dream' that I always talked about has collapsed," he added. I'm indescribably hurt. It's still not easy to accept this reality."
He added that he and the team have felt the fans' constant love and support and promised to "do my best in my position again to win the hearts of the Korean people and football fans. I will run to death to give you pleasure again."
Son, who spent 10 years at Tottenham, joined LAFC in August of 2025 for a record MLS fee for an incoming player at $26 million.
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