North Korea to Host Japan for World Cup Qualifier in Pyongyang
Landmark Match Marks First Time in Four Years North Korea Has Hosted International Game
Match Set for March 26th at National Stadium
The North Korean men's national football team will make its long-awaited return to international competition next week when they host Japan in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang on March 26th. The match will be the first time North Korea has hosted an international game in more than four years.
The North Korean team has been absent from the international stage since 2019 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The team's last match was a 1-0 defeat to Lebanon in an Asian Cup qualifier in November 2019.
Japan, meanwhile, is ranked 24th in the FIFA world rankings, 88 spots ahead of North Korea. The Japanese team is coming off a 1-0 victory over Mongolia in their opening World Cup qualifier in March.
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