North Korea Withdraws from 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Low FIFA Ranking and Political Challenges Cited as Reasons
Historical World Cup Participation and Future Ambitions
North Korea, ranked 105th in the FIFA World Rankings, has officially withdrawn from qualification for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday.
The decision came amidst ongoing political tensions and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. North Korea's only World Cup participation this century was in 2010, when they qualified and played in Group G.
In August 2023, North Korea signaled its intention to return to sporting competitions, including football. However, the country's withdrawal from the 2022 World Cup qualification casts doubt on its ability to prepare and participate effectively.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the North Korean team remains uncertain. They will face challenges from Middle Eastern countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as former Soviet republics like Russia and Kazakhstan, who have strong football traditions.
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