Police raid Korea FA offices over Hong Myung-bo appointment

South Korean police conducted raids on the Korea Football Association (KFA) offices in both Seoul and Cheonan on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The operations involved search and seizure actions as part of an investigation into the 2024 recruitment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo.

Financial crimes investigators from the Seoul police are examining allegations of obstruction of business. The probe focuses on whether senior KFA officials improperly interfered in the appointment process for Hong, potentially violating internal regulations.

Scrutiny regarding the hiring process has increased following South Korea's performance in the 2026 World Cup. The national team was eliminated during the group stage of the tournament held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This exit followed a 1-0 loss to South Africa, preventing the team from reaching the last-32 knockout round.

Hong Myung-bo resigned from his position in June after the team's tournament exit. The investigation seeks to determine if the initial appointment of the 57-year-old coach involved unfair interference or irregularities.

Prior to the tournament, the South Korean squad was described by local media as a golden generation. The roster included prominent players such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in.