Leader Hong Myung-bo's second World Cup challenge ended in failure again. He tried hard to erase the nightmare of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, but heaven turned his back on him again. The national soccer team led by coach Hong Myung-bo's journey to the 2026 North and Central America World Cup ended early. The national team, which finished Group A with 1 win and 2 losses (3 points, 2 goals, 3 goals conceded, goal difference +1), hoped to be included among the 8 teams that could join the round of 32 among the 3rd place, but in the end, it ended up as a 'torture of hope'. The North and Central America World Cup is the first tournament in which the number of participating countries has increased significantly from 36 to 48. Therefore, the probability of advancing to the tournament also increased. The 1st and 2nd place teams from 12 groups will advance directly, and the 8 teams with the best results among the 3rd place teams will additionally join, and the tournament will begin in the round of 32. It was an inexcusable failure as they could not even pass through that wide gate. The national team, which achieved a pleasant 2-1 comeback win in the first game against the Czech Republic, was unable to maintain its momentum and lost the second and third games, finishing in third place in the group. Depending on the situation in other groups, 3rd place may advance to the round of 32.