North Korea's World Cup Qualifiers: Surprising Developments and Cancellations
Roster Change and Goalscoring History
When North Korea's men's soccer team took the field for two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in March, keen observers noticed a notable roster change. The team had four top goalscorers in 1966 but only one in the 2010 World Cup.
Prior to North Korea's debut in 1966, the team had participated in:
- Total World Cups: 1
- Quarter-finals: 0
Note: Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
Qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series began on September 7, 2023, with three matches in the CONMEBOL zone. The first goal was scored by Colombian player Rafael Santos Borré.
Host Country Controversy
Totalitarian state North Korea became a surprise contender to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup after submitting a late proposal.
Abrupt Cancellation of Match
North Korea abruptly canceled its World Cup qualifying match with Japan in March, leaving organizers scrambling to find a replacement.
Japan's Victory and Forfeit
Japan defeated North Korea 1-0 in Tokyo earlier in March. However, Japan was later awarded a 3-0 forfeit win after North Korea canceled their home match.
FIFA's Response
FIFA definitively canceled the North Korea-Japan 2026 World Cup qualifier, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the competition.
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