Historic Achievements And Surprising Withdrawals

North Korea's World Cup Journey: Past, Present, and Future

Historic Achievements and Surprising Withdrawals

North Korea's participation in the FIFA World Cup has been a tale of both triumph and controversy. Their impressive run in the 1966 tournament, where they became the first Asian team to reach the quarter-finals, remains a source of national pride.

However, the nation's subsequent withdrawals from the 2010 and 2022 World Cups have raised questions about their commitment to the global soccer stage.

Potential for Hosting and New Challenges

FIFA's Expression of Interest

Despite the recent withdrawals, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed interest in North Korea hosting a World Cup, emphasizing the desire to "unite the world." While such a prospect remains speculative, it would undoubtedly bring significant attention and investment to the country.

Qualification Path for 2026

North Korea's road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be challenging, with their qualification path including matches against Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Turkmenistan.

The team must overcome geopolitical obstacles and improve their FIFA ranking to secure a spot in the tournament's expanded 48-team format.