South Korea national team boycotts journalists at 2026 World Cup

Players of the South Korea national football team have refused to speak to the media during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

According to The Telegraph, the team is unhappy with journalists who mocked captain Son Heung-min over his exemption from mandatory military service. The Korea Football Association responded to the controversy.

“[...] the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team,” the association said in a statement.

South Korea opened its World Cup campaign with a 2–1 victory over the Czech Republic. The Asian side will next face Mexico and South Africa.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 and will conclude on July 19. The reigning world champions are Argentina national football team, who defeated France national football team in the final of the 2022 World Cup.

South Korea’s best-ever World Cup finish remains fourth place at the 2002 tournament, a milestone achieved under the guidance of Guus Hiddink, who later went on to coach the Russian national team.