North Korea Abruptly Cancels World Cup Qualifier With Japan
By Mike Ives and John Yoon
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will decide the teams that will join hosts Canada Mexico and the United States.
When the North Korean men's soccer team took the field for two World Cup qualifiers in March they did so under a cloud of uncertainty. The country had been hit hard by COVID-19 and its borders were closed. The team had not played a competitive match in nearly two years. But North Korea defied the odds and won both games to advance to the next round of qualifying.
Now, just days before their next qualifier against Japan, North Korea has abruptly canceled the match. Organizers are frantically searching for an opponent, but it is unclear if they will be able to find one on such short notice.
The cancellation is a major setback for North Korea's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. The team is ranked 105th in the world and would need to finish in the top two in their group to advance to the next round.
The reason for the cancellation is unclear. North Korea has not released a statement, and FIFA has declined to comment. However, it is possible that the country is concerned about the spread of COVID-19. The virus has been spreading rapidly in North Korea in recent weeks, and the country has imposed a strict lockdown.
The cancellation of the match is a disappointment for fans of both teams. Japan is ranked 23rd in the world and was expected to be a strong contender in the qualifying group. North Korea is a dark horse, but they have shown that they are capable of beating anyone on their day.
The cancellation of the match also raises questions about the future of North Korea's soccer program. The country has been isolated from the rest of the world for decades, and its soccer team has suffered as a result. The team has not qualified for a World Cup since 2010, and it is unclear when they will get another chance.
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