North Korea Cancels 2026 World Cup Qualifier at Last Minute

Japanese Delegation Denied Entry into the Country

TOKYO (AP) - North Korea has abruptly canceled its 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Japan, just hours before the Japanese delegation was scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang for the game. The decision has raised concerns about the political tensions between the two countries.

According to a statement from the Korea Football Association (KFA), North Korea informed them of the cancellation on Monday morning. No reason was given for the decision, but it is believed to be related to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

The cancellation of the match is a major blow to the hopes of both Japan and North Korea. Japan is currently ranked 24th in the world, while North Korea is ranked 105th. The match was seen as an opportunity for North Korea to improve its FIFA ranking and potentially qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The cancellation of the match is also a setback for the efforts of FIFA to promote peace and reconciliation through soccer. FIFA has been working to bring North Korea back into the international soccer fold in recent years, and the World Cup qualifiers were seen as a major opportunity to do so.

It is unclear what the future holds for North Korea's soccer program. The country has been suspended from international competition by FIFA in the past, and it is possible that this latest cancellation could lead to further sanctions.