Overview
- South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 when Thapelo Maseko scored just after the hour, a result that knocked South Korea out of automatic qualification and left them third in Group A.
- Coach Hong Myung-bo publicly accepted responsibility for selection and tactical choices but said he could not fully explain why the team performed so poorly.
- Captain Son Heung-min was left out of the starting lineup for the first time in his World Cup career, came on at halftime, and later apologised for not helping the team on the pitch.
- Tensions off the field have grown after reporters were overheard mocking Son’s military record, causing a player boycott of domestic media, and a drone was spotted over a training session before the Mexico match, raising spying concerns.
- Hong’s controversial 2024 reappointment and the KFA’s hiring process are under renewed attack, with former players criticising tactics, fans launching petitions for his sacking, and calls for institutional reform if the side exits the tournament.