Roberto Moreno, the interim head coach of the South Korea national football team, arrives tomorrow to begin his official duties. Coach Moreno will land at Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 13th, accompanied by his coaching staff.
He plans to hold a press conference at the arrival hall, stating he will "share my thoughts and determination on taking charge of the South Korean national team." The following day, on the 14th, he will announce the player roster for four A-matches scheduled for September and October at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan. This is the first squad assembled since former coach Hong Myung-bo resigned.
Why an interim coach now
Coach Hong Myung-bo resigned following South Korea's group-stage elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Korea Football Association then initiated an open recruitment process for an interim head coach, announcing Moreno's appointment on the 1st of last month. His contract runs until November 27th, during which he will manage a total of six matches: four in September and October and two in November. The contract includes a provision for an extension following an evaluation of his initial six matches. With the KFA's presidential election process potentially delaying the appointment of a permanent coach before the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, Moreno's role becomes even more significant.
Who is Coach Moreno
Roberto Moreno brings considerable experience from working under coach Luis Enrique. He previously served as a senior coach at FC Barcelona and held the roles of senior coach and acting head coach for the Spanish national team. In March 2019, he temporarily managed three matches for Spain when Luis Enrique stepped down due to his daughter's illness. He was appointed Spain's permanent head coach that June, leading the team for five months before Enrique's return. This appointment marks his second stint as a national team head coach.
The current state of the South Korea team
Moreno takes over a team handle a difficult period post-World Cup. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses in the last five matches, but they have lost their last two games. Their most recent result was a 1-0 loss to South Africa on June 25th. The team currently sits 3rd in their World Cup qualifying group with 3 points from 3 games, recording 1 win and 2 losses. They have scored 2 goals and conceded 3, resulting in a -1 goal difference. They trail group leaders Mexico by 6 points. The team's recent performance and detailed records can be found on our stats page.
The upcoming schedule and challenges
Moreno's first test will be a home match against Ecuador on September 24th. The four matches in September and October will serve as a critical opportunity to evaluate new tactics and squad composition. The coach is expected to select players that reflect his football philosophy in this roster announcement. South Korea's full upcoming match schedule is available on our fixtures page. While Moreno's interim contract runs until November 27th, his performance could lead to an extension through the Asian Cup qualifiers. His first official duty begins tomorrow at Incheon Airport.
