North Korean Soccer Team Shows Confidence for Match Against Japan Despite FIFA Sanctions

Despite receiving a fine and a forfeit loss penalty from the International Football Federation (FIFA), the North Korean soccer team still expressed strong confidence in their upcoming match against Japan.

North Korea, who originally planned to host their home game against Japan in the 2026 FIFA North Central American World Cup Asian second-round qualifiers in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Stadium, received a forfeit loss penalty of 0-3 along with a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs (approximately $11,000) from FIFA. This was due to their unilateral decision to cancel the game five days before it was due to take place, citing ‘the spread of infectious diseases’.

According to a report by MK Sports, North Korean coach Shin Jaenam, a Korean-Japanese, revealed in an interview with a freelance journalist that “we were preparing for a return match by inviting Japan to Pyongyang, and coach Shin Youngnam had a strategy to block Japan’s key player, Kubo.”

He said, “We are aware that Japan is a strong opponent, but if the match had been held in Pyongyang, we could have won,” expressing his confidence.

Regarding North Korea’s decision to cancel the match, Coach Shin mentioned that they had banned the Japanese team’s entry to respond to the “severe hemolytic streptococcus infection” within North Korea.

He explained that this was an inevitable safety measure as the number of infected people rapidly increased in Japan.

This is not the first time North Korean soccer has caused an international controversy.

Last month, comments by North Korean coach Ryu Il amid the North Korean women’s soccer team’s elimination from the third round of the Paris Olympics women’s soccer qualifiers held in Tokyo, Japan, caused controversy on the international stage.

North Korea was eliminated from the Paris Olympics after a draw and a loss, including a 1-2 defeat to Japan in the second round of the qualifiers.

After the match, a dispute arose over remarks about the country’s name during a press conference with Korean journalists by Coach Ryu Il.

During the press conference, Coach Ryu stopped the meeting, stating, “It’s not the North, it’s the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Get the country’s name right.”

This incident was widely reported in the international community, sparking another controversy over North Korea’s behavior at international competitions.