Hong Myung-bo, the coach of the Korean national soccer team, had an interview with “Inside FIFA.” He explained the direction of Korean soccer and showed the pride of Korean soccer.
The media outlet said, “Korean soccer legend Hong Myung-bo has advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup as the coach of Ulsan HD. It is the only Korean club that will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup next year. However, Hong will not sit on the bench in Ulsan next year. He has accepted the position as the coach of the Korean national team for the second time.”
In response, Hong said, “It is an honor to coach one of the major clubs in Asia. We did our best to become the best team in Asia. Our success is attributed not only to me but also to the players and the whole club. The Club World Cup will be an opportunity to show the world how good Korean soccer is, and of course, it will affect the national team as well.”
After leaving Ulsan, Hong is playing the third match of the Asian region for the 2026 World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. As the coach, he is playing the third match of the 2026 World Cup in North Korea. In the first match, the team tied 0-0 with Palestine, and in the second match, the team beat Oman 3-1.
“The environment around the team is not completely new to me because I started my coaching career with the national team. But that was a long time ago, and everything has changed. Both the players and the coaching staff are new. Now I have to take on new challenges with the current squad,” Hong said.
“It was not an easy task for us to advance to the World Cup. Away games are always tricky in the Middle East. But I’m confident that we will be one of the best teams in Asia.” 메이저놀이터
Regarding the direction, he explained, “The world of soccer is changing rapidly, and it is not only in Asia. It is important for us to keep pace with the change. But I think it is much more important for us to establish our own football philosophy and stick to it. This includes not only the technical aspects, but also the mental and cultural aspects.”
He said, “Our main goal now is to advance to the 2026 World Cup. Our players certainly have the tools to compete not only in Asia but also around the world. Therefore, we are focusing on small improvements. The most important thing for me right now is to allow the players to prepare for the game in an appropriate environment based on Korea’s unique soccer culture.”
She also expressed her interest in women’s soccer. Hong said, “Korea’s soccer culture has changed a lot in recent years. These days, most fans in stadiums are women. The number of girls and women who play soccer is also increasing. Women’s soccer still has a lot of challenges to overcome. This is because the number of registered players is small and the conditions of play are often difficult. But all of these did not stop our women’s team from advancing to the World Cup. They deserve respect and encouragement.”
