According to plan, the match between North Korea and Japan in Group B of the second qualifying round World Cup 2026 will be held in Pyongyang on March 26. Japanese players responded The special plane will go to China and practice for 2 days, then they will go to North Korea close to the competition day.
However, in the end the match had a change when North Korea refused to organize the match. According to AFC, due to unexpected reasons, North Korea could not organize the match on its territory.
A few Japanese newspapers revealed that it appeared in the land of the rising sun. Due to a strange disease with a high death rate, North Korea refused to let Japanese players enter the country. They proposed to hold the match at a neutral location.
However, North Korea could not find a venue. FIFA does not accept the match being rescheduled to another time because the match schedule is full. Finally the highest authority of football the world decided to cancel this match. In addition, FIFA affirmed that it will refer the related issue to the Disciplinary Committee.
According to Articles 16 and 28 of FIFA’s laws, it stipulates the penalty for handling a match that cannot take place for the North Korean team. was defeated 0-3. That means that Japan automatically has 3 points and wins the right to enter the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
The Japanese team also announced their release from camp. Players are allowed to return to their parent club. The Japan Football Federation announced: “We announce that the national team’s activities have ended. The entire team will rest and return to the club. Thank you for accompanying the national team.” .
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