On October 15, 2019, at the Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, Ri Yong-chol (number 18) of North Korea is heading the ball during the third match of Group H in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup between South Korea and North Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]
North Korea's absence from the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers has been confirmed.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on the 16th (Korean time) through its website that "North Korea Football Association's absence from the Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup has been confirmed."
North Korea, which belongs to Group H of the Asian second round qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup along with South Korea, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka, had sent an official letter to the AFC at the end of last month expressing their intention not to participate in the qualifiers.
The reason for their absence is reported to be concerns over COVID-19. The AFC attempted to persuade North Korea to participate, but it appears that North Korea ultimately did not change its stance.
Accordingly, the schedule for the Group H qualifiers, which will be held domestically next month, will also be partially changed. The South Korean men's national team, led by coach Paulo Bento, was originally supposed to play four matches including one against North Korea, but this has been reduced to three matches.
Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, and Lebanon will each play one match. The AFC will announce detailed information regarding the Group H standings and other matters at a later date.
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