Seoul: Captain Son Heung-min led a small group of South Korea's men's national football team players back home from the FIFA World Cup early Wednesday, greeted by encouraging words from dozens of supporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. This warm reception contrasted sharply with the boos and profanity directed at former head coach Hong Myung-bo the previous day.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong resigned on Sunday at the team's base camp in Zapopan, western Mexico, after South Korea failed to advance beyond the group stage. Finishing third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses, the team missed the chance to progress as one of the eight best third-place teams, ranking 10th among them. The government plans to audit the Korea Football Association (KFA) to investigate the team's shortcomings and the controversial process that led to Hong's reappointment in July 2024. Critics argue that Hong's inability to lead South Korea past the group stage in the 2014 World Cup foreshadowed this year's disappointing outcome.

Son and his teammates have largely avoided the intense scrutiny faced by their coach. The KFA reported that players and coaching staff returned home in small groups due to flight booking difficulties. Hong arrived on Tuesday with nine players, including Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae. Son landed with a few others around 4 a.m. Wednesday.

As they exited the airport, fans dressed in team uniforms cheered, offering words of encouragement such as "Don't hang your head" and "Thank you for your hard work." Son did not speak to the media but had previously taken to social media to apologize to fans, promising to come back stronger and bring joy to the team's supporters.

This World Cup marked Son's fourth appearance and potentially his last, though, at 34 next Wednesday, he has yet to announce his future plans.