South Korea Threatened To Fail To Participate In The 2026 World Cup Because Of FIFA Sanctions

The South Korean national team is threatened with failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals because the South Korean Football Federation (KFA) is overshadowed by FIFA sanctions.

Quoted from the Korea Times, this situation follows the Government's interference with KFA in which the Inspector General of the Korean Ministry of Sports, Choi Hyun-Joon, demanded that KFA President Chung Mong-gyu be punished.

Choi Hyun-Joon said Chung Mong-gyu made a number of mistakes based on an audit conducted by the Government.

Chung Mong-gyu is claimed to have carried out illegal practices, especially during the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo as coaches of the South Korean national team.

"We have conducted an audit on July 29, 2024, on the appointment of coach Jurgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo by KFA, sudden amnesty and the withdrawal of corrupt football personnel, as well as the National Football Center project," wrote a statement from the Korea Times quoted Friday, November 8, 2024.

"The final audit results confirm 27 cases of illegal and inappropriate business practices, which therefore we demand disciplinary action, correction, and sanctions and demand them (KFA) to establish reasonable corrective measures," the statement continued.

Choi Hyun-Joon also demanded KFA immediately remove Chung Mong-gyu from the KFA Presidential seat. The South Korean Ministry of Sports also asked KFA to open up opportunities for re-election of South Korean national team coaches.

"We demand heavy disciplinary action or at least a suspension for President Chung Mong-gyu and other relevant officials, taking them accountable for the inappropriate process of appointing national team coaches and poor organizational management."

"Regarding the appointment of Hong Myung-bo, we told KFA to draw up plans to correct procedural shortages, including the possibility of re-pointing the national team coach from the start," Choi continued in a statement published by the Korea Times.

Since the South Korean Ministry of Sports conducted an investigation into KFA in July 2024, FIFA has warned KFA of possible sanctions they may get if they violate the obligation to operate independently without government interference.

If KFA follows the Government's request to punish Chung Mong-gyu, then FIFA will almost certainly punish South Korea from international football.

This means that South Korea cannot appear in various competitions under the FIFA umbrella, including the South Korean national team which has a great chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

In fact, South Korea is currently leading the Group B standings for the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with 10 points, three points ahead of Jordan and Iraq.