‘34th place.’ Korean soccer, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, received the ‘worst report card’ in World Cup history. On the 28th, when the group stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup ended, Korea ranked 10th out of 12 teams in 3rd place in the group and failed to advance to the round of 32 tournament given to the top 8 teams. Korea lost 0-1 in the final third game of Group A against South Africa on the 25th and fell to third place in the group with 1 win and 2 losses (3 points). Expectations were high for the 'number of cases' according to the results of other teams' matches over the next three days, but on this day, they were ranked 10th out of 12 teams in 3rd place in the group and final elimination was confirmed. It has been eight years since Korea was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup in 2018. Korea's goal for this tournament was to advance to the quarterfinals, the highest ever visiting World Cup. Starting with this tournament, the number of participating countries increased from 32 to 48, and passing the group stage did not seem that difficult. Previously, they had to finish 2nd or higher in their group, but this time they had a chance even if they finished 3rd in their group. Moreover, Korea defeated Mexico and Che in the draw last December.