What do you really know about North Korea’s national football team? Beyond the headlines and political intrigue, their journey through the world of football is filled with moments that are as shocking as they are fascinating. Little is known about the secretive North Korea. But we know they play football and enjoy the beautiful game. They have a national football team that has engaged in footballing tournaments. Here are facts about the Senior North Korea football team you never knew.
1. The North Korean football team was established in 1945 by the DPR Korea Football Association. They won their first ever international match against China 1-0 in 1956. They have qualified for the world cup twice in 1966 and 2010. They have also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup four times.
2. They have qualified for the FIFA world cup twice in 1966 and 2010. In 1966 they shocked the world by beating Italy 1-0 to qualify for the quarterfinals. In the semifinals they lost 5-3 to a Eusebio lead Portuguese team, after lead 3-0 in thirty minutes. The 1966 World Cup win against Italy is still celebrated as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, putting North Korea on the international football map.
3. As of March 2025, North Korea are ranked 1119 in the latest FIFA ranking. There achieved their highest FIFA ranking on November 1993, ranking 57. Their lowest was 181, on November 1998.
4. North Korea is currently coached by Jørn Andersen. A former striker of the Norwegian national team. He played for many teams including Vålerenga, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburger SV and FC Zurich. After coaching many European teams he resigned as coach of Austria Salzburg in December 2015. Andersen was later appointed as manager of North Korea in May 2016.
5. The North Korea football team behave like soldiers. With majority of the players consisted of officials from the Workers Party of Korea as well as officials from the military.
6. The most capped football player in their history is Ri Myong-guk, a goalkeeper who has played 89 matches for the senior side. In 2009 he was nominated for the 2009 Asian Footballer of the Year award. And guess what, both his father and uncle played as goalkeepers for the national team.
7. After the World Cup in 2010, they were rumours that the North Korean football team were embarrass and punished for losing heavily. These reports of the team being punished or even executed were not confirmed by any real sources though.
8. The national team’s all time topscorer is Jong Tae-se, a Japanese-born striker, with 15 goals. He has played for German clubs VfL Bochum and FC Köln. However, he currently playa for Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League as their captain.
9. The home stadium of the National team is the Kim Il-sung Stadium, a 50,000 capacity stadium established in 1926.
10. The national team’s biggest ever win was against Guam, a 21-0 thrashing on March 2005. While they biggest loss was against Portugal in the 2010 World Cup, it ended 7-0.
Buckle up, because we’re about to uncover 11 astonishing facts about North Korea’s football team that will leave you both intrigued and amazed.
1. First Match Forfeit: The GANEFO Controversy
North Korea’s debut in international football was anything but smooth. Their first official match took place on March 22, 1964, against Burma (now Myanmar) during the Olympic qualifiers. After a goalless draw in the first leg, North Korea secured a victory in the second leg, advancing to the next round. However, their progress was abruptly halted when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to ban athletes who had participated in the Games of the New Emerging Forces (GANEFO).
GANEFO was an alternative to the Olympics, initiated by Indonesia in 1963 as a response to the perceived Western dominance in the IOC. It aimed to provide a platform for countries from the developing world to compete on an equal footing. Several North Korean footballers had participated in GANEFO, leading to their disqualification from the Olympic qualifiers.
2. Diplomatic Issues in 1966: The Anthem and the Flag
When North Korea qualified for the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, their participation posed a significant diplomatic problem for the host country. The United Kingdom did not recognize the legitimacy of the North Korean government following the Korean War. As a result, they refused to play North Korea’s national anthem before matches, a standard protocol for all participating teams.
The issue was only partially resolved when the UK agreed to fly the North Korean flag alongside those of other nations but continued to refuse the playing of the anthem.
3. Historic Upset Against Italy
One of the most memorable moments in World Cup history occurred when North Korea faced Italy in the 1966 tournament. Drawn into a group with the USSR, Chile, and the formidable Italian team, North Korea was considered the underdog. After a loss to the Soviets and a draw with Chile, North Korea needed a win against Italy to advance to the quarter-finals.
In a shocking turn of events, North Korea defeated Italy 1-0, thanks to a goal from Pak Doo-ik. This victory not only secured their spot in the quarter-finals but also made them the first Asian team to achieve such a feat. The win against Italy remains one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, cementing North Korea’s place in football folklore.
4. Quarter-Final Collapse Against Portugal
North Korea’s quarter-final match against Portugal in the 1966 World Cup is legendary for its dramatic twists. Amazingly, North Korea led 3-0 after just 25 minutes of play, with goals from Pak Seung-zin, Yang Seung-kook, and Li Dong-woon. However, their discipline faltered, and Portuguese star Eusébio took advantage, scoring four goals to lead Portugal to a 5-3 victory.
This match showcased both the potential and the vulnerabilities of the North Korean team. Despite the loss, their performance in the 1966 World Cup remains one of the most remarkable achievements in Asian football history.
5. IOC Ban Impact: Political Tensions and Missed Opportunities
Political tensions continued to affect North Korea’s football journey. In 1968, the team withdrew from the Olympic qualifiers and other tournaments because they refused to face the Israeli team. This decision was rooted in the broader geopolitical context, as North Korea did not recognize Israel and opposed its policies.
This withdrawal led to missed opportunities for the North Korean team to showcase their talents on the international stage. It also highlighted the extent to which political considerations could impact sports, particularly for nations with contentious international relations.
6. Four-Year Hiatus: The Impact of Famine and Mourning
After failing to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, North Korea’s national team went into a period of inactivity that lasted over four years. This hiatus coincided with a devastating famine in North Korea, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Additionally, the country was in official mourning following the death of President Kim Il Sung in 1994.
During this period, the team did not participate in any international competitions, causing them to plummet in the FIFA rankings. This hiatus underscored the profound impact of domestic crises on the country’s ability to engage in international sports.
7. Forced Labor Punishment: The 2010 World Cup Fallout
North Korea made a surprising comeback by qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. However, their performance was disappointing. After a respectable 2-1 loss to Brazil, they suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Portugal, the heaviest loss in their history.
Following their poor performance, reports emerged that coach Kim Jong-hun was sent to forced labor camps, and players faced harsh ideological criticism. These reports highlighted the intense pressure and severe consequences faced by the team, reflecting the broader political climate in North Korea.
8. Broadcast Interruption: The Portugal Match
During the 2010 World Cup, North Korea’s match against Portugal was broadcast live in the country—an extremely rare occurrence. However, the broadcast was abruptly cut off after Portugal scored their fourth goal. The match ended in a 7-0 defeat, marking the team’s heaviest loss in history.
This incident showed the tightly controlled nature of information in North Korea and the lengths to which the government would go to manage public perception. The decision to cut the broadcast reflected the regime’s sensitivity to national pride and image.
9. Diplomatic Tensions with South Korea: The 2010 Qualifiers
In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, North Korea refused to play South Korea’s national anthem or fly their flag, leading to the matches being relocated to China. This incident highlighted the ongoing political tensions between the two Koreas, even in the realm of sports.
10. Suspension for Attacking a Referee: The 1982 Asian Games
In the 1982 Asian Games, North Korean players attacked a Thai referee after losing a match in extra time. This violent outburst led to a two-year suspension from AFC competitions, highlighting the intense emotions and high stakes involved in their matches.
The suspension was a significant setback for the team, preventing them from competing in key tournaments and further developing their skills on the international stage. It also served as a stark reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and discipline in football.
11. COVID-19 Withdrawal: The 2022 World Cup Qualifiers
In a more recent turn of events, North Korea withdrew from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers due to fears related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision led to all their match results being voided, marking another unusual chapter in their football history.
