The Korea Football Association appointed Roberto Moreno as interim coach of the South Korea men’s national football team at its board meeting on September 1, 2026. The position had been vacant since Hong Myung-bo resigned at the end of June in connection with the team’s elimination in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. With this appointment, the national team has entered a new interim coaching arrangement.
Key Changes
Moreno is expected to lead South Korea in its next six international matches. The currently confirmed schedule includes four matches in September and October.
| Date | Opponent | Confirmation status |
|---|---|---|
| September 24 | Ecuador | Confirmed fixture |
| September 28 | Uruguay | Confirmed fixture |
| October 2 | Venezuela | Confirmed fixture |
| October 6 | Uzbekistan | Confirmed fixture |
| November 9–17 international window | Two matches | Scheduling in progress; opponents, venues, and times not confirmed |
Moreno’s first evaluation period is expected to consist of the four September and October matches plus two additional matches in November.
Current Status
Moreno’s contract runs through November 27, 2026. The Korea Football Association is seeking to arrange two additional matches during the FIFA international window from November 9 to 17, but the opponents, venues, and times for those matches have not yet been confirmed.
Moreno coached the Spanish national team for nine matches in 2019 and has managed clubs including AS Monaco, Granada, and FC Sochi.
Impact
The appointment fills the national team coaching position, which had been vacant since Hong Myung-bo’s departure, with an interim arrangement. However, based on the currently confirmed information alone, it is not possible to predict the results of the six matches or whether the team’s performance will improve.
Depending on his performance in the autumn matches, Moreno could remain in a permanent role through the 2027 Asian Cup. However, whether he will be formally appointed on a continuing basis can only be confirmed after the scheduled six matches and the Korea Football Association’s follow-up evaluation.
The 2027 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
What to Watch Next
The key points for readers to follow are:
- Moreno’s first match in charge, beginning with the Ecuador game on September 24
- The Uruguay match on September 28, the Venezuela match on October 2, and the Uzbekistan match on October 6
- Whether the opponents, venues, and times for the two matches during the November international window are confirmed
- The follow-up evaluation and any decision on a permanent appointment around the expiration of his contract on November 27, 2026
Sources: [Korea Football Association official website](https://kfa.or.kr/), [Korea Football Association men’s A team schedule](https://www.kfa.or.kr/national/?act=nt_man&cursor=&position=DF&s_idx=376&search_val=2026), [Yonhap News report](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260901006200315), [The Korea Times report](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260901/ex-spain-head-coach-robert-moreno-named-temporary-manager-for-mens-natl-football-team), [AFC official Asian Cup information](https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/news/afc-asian-cup-saudi-arabia-2027%E2%84%A2-primed-for-spectacular-showdowns). Information verified as of September 1, 2026.