North Korea's soccer 'snafu' disrupts World Cup second qualifier...North Korea-Japan fourth game postponed [news]
North Korea's soccer 'gambit' worked. North Korea's fourth match against Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia Pacific Second Qualifying Round in Pyongyang, North Korea, has been postponed after the country said it would not be able to host a home match.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on its official website on Feb. 22 that the fourth match between North Korea and Japan in Group B of the 2026 FIFA Confederations Cup Asia Pacific Second Qualifying Round has been postponed.
The match was originally scheduled to take place on June 26 in Pyongyang, 스포츠토토사이트 North Korea.
However, North Korea notified the AFC on Feb. 20 that it would not be able to host the match, throwing the entire Asian soccer world into turmoil. North Korea even informed Japan, its opponent in the fourth leg, during halftime of the third leg (a 0-1 loss).
The North Koreans were reportedly wary of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has been on the rise in Japan.
Earlier in the day, AFC Secretary General Tato Windsor John said that the fourth leg would be held as scheduled in a neutral location with no cancellation or postponement. However, with just four days to go before the match, it was not practical to rearrange the venue.
In the end, the AFC announced the postponement of Game 4 and said it would refer the matter to FIFA, which would provide an update in due course.
Now that the AFC has handed the matter over to FIFA, the possibility of a forfeit or disciplinary action against North Korea is open, in addition to playing the next match during the A-Match.
North Korea is currently third in Group C with one win and two losses after three matches, behind Japan (three wins) and Syria (one win, one draw). North Korea will need to beat Syria to secure at least second place in the group to advance to the final round. North Korea is scheduled to play Syria at home in June during the A-match, but it's unclear how they'll play that game.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on its official website on Feb. 22 that the fourth match between North Korea and Japan in Group B of the 2026 FIFA Confederations Cup Asia Pacific Second Qualifying Round has been postponed.
The match was originally scheduled to take place on June 26 in Pyongyang, 스포츠토토사이트 North Korea.
However, North Korea notified the AFC on Feb. 20 that it would not be able to host the match, throwing the entire Asian soccer world into turmoil. North Korea even informed Japan, its opponent in the fourth leg, during halftime of the third leg (a 0-1 loss).
The North Koreans were reportedly wary of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has been on the rise in Japan.
Earlier in the day, AFC Secretary General Tato Windsor John said that the fourth leg would be held as scheduled in a neutral location with no cancellation or postponement. However, with just four days to go before the match, it was not practical to rearrange the venue.
In the end, the AFC announced the postponement of Game 4 and said it would refer the matter to FIFA, which would provide an update in due course.
Now that the AFC has handed the matter over to FIFA, the possibility of a forfeit or disciplinary action against North Korea is open, in addition to playing the next match during the A-Match.
North Korea is currently third in Group C with one win and two losses after three matches, behind Japan (three wins) and Syria (one win, one draw). North Korea will need to beat Syria to secure at least second place in the group to advance to the final round. North Korea is scheduled to play Syria at home in June during the A-match, but it's unclear how they'll play that game.
2024-03-23 13:15
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