South Korea receives ESPN ‘D-’ rating

South Korea fell 0-1 to South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage and was handed a ‘D-’ rating by ESPN. The decision to bench Son Heung‑min and the overall poor performance were cited as key reasons.

Why the ‘D-’ rating?

ESPN graded 48 nations, assuming 47 would finish as failures, and combined pre‑tournament expectations with actual play. South Korea landed just above the bottom F grade, receiving ‘D-’, while Portugal, the Netherlands and Uruguay earned F. Bench‑ing Son and the 0-1 loss to South Africa weighed heavily.

Match results and stats

South Korea beat Czech Republic 2-1, lost 0-1 to Mexico and fell 1-0 to South Africa on 2026-06-25. The team sits 3rd in the World Cup standings with 3 points (1W‑0D‑2L) and a recent form of LLW (last five: 3W‑0D‑2L). They have scored 2 goals and conceded 3, a -1 goal difference.

What lies ahead?

Former coach Hong Myung‑bo resigned immediately after the tournament, making a new appointment urgent. ESPN noted that without the Mexican goalkeeper’s double‑save, a draw might have been possible, and highlighted the Czech win as a factor that kept South Korea from an F grade. South Africa earned a ‘B’ and topped the group, so tactical overhaul is essential for the next cycle.

Fans and media reaction

Korean supporters expressed disappointment over Son’s benching, and ESPN’s ‘D-’ assessment amplified the criticism. Some outlets slammed the coach’s tactical choices, calling for structural changes to restore competitiveness on the world stage.