Sports Japan beats North Korea in World Cup qualifier 🇰🇵

North Korea reportedly decided it would no longer host the match, scheduled for next Tuesday at the Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang, a day before the teams met in Tokyo on Thursday in the first of their two Asian qualifying Group B qualifiers. Minutes after that game, which Japan won 1-0, Kozo Tashima, the president of the Japan Football Association, told reporters that the return match in the North Korean capital would not go ahead.

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North Korea cancels World Cup qualifier against Japan

Last-minute decision on Tuesday’s match leaves football bodies searching for alternative venue

www.theguardian.com

Japan beats North Korea in World Cup qualifying then North Korea cancels visit by Japan, media says

Japan beat North Korea 1-0 in Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. But North Korea has reportedly canceled hosting Japan next Tuesday in Pyongyang.

apnews.com

Tuesday's game has now been moved to an unannounced neutral venue, and no date has been given for the fixture. The decision denies Pyongyang a potential opportunity to build on recent signs it is ready to explore a warmer relationship with its long-time adversary. Minutes after the first of the two games between the teams in Tokyo on Thursday, which Japan won 1-0, reports emerged that North Korea would not host the return match, due to apparent concerns over rising cases of streptococcus infections in Japan. North Korea, which appeared in the 1966 and 2010 tournaments, can't afford another defeat if it wants to progress to the final round of Asia, qualifying for eighth place at the 2026 tournament in North America.

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North Korea abruptly cancels home soccer game with Japan

Decision denies Pyongyang the opportunity to explore warmer ties with Tokyo

asia.nikkei.com

With 12 points after four games, Japan has qualified for the third round of World Cup qualifiers and the 2027 Asian Cup. Japan beat North Korea 1-0 in another qualifying match in Tokyo this month. "Although the players lost an important opportunity to play, I see this as a positive step forward," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said in a statement. "Naturally, we will not be satisfied with this result, but we will continue building our strength for the national team activities in June, the final qualifying round, and the World Cup." North Korea, which has no formal diplomatic relations with Tokyo, decided not to stage the match in Pyongyang over worries about infectious diseases in Japan and had asked for the game to be moved to a neutral venue.

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