The Japan-North Korea match that was canceled due to a unilateral notification from North Korea has been declared a forfeit by North Korea.
The Japan Football Association said on March 30, “We have been informed that the fourth match of Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia Second Qualifying Round, which was scheduled to be held in Pyongyang, 카지노사이트 North Korea on March 26, has been decided as a forfeit by North Korea.”
Japan and North Korea were originally scheduled to play the third and fourth Group B matches on March 21 and 26. The third game in Japan (Japan won 1-0) went ahead as scheduled, but North Korea suddenly informed that the fourth game in Pyongyang could not be played. North Korea demanded a neutral venue, but FIFA decided to cancel the match.
Japan qualified for the final round with 12 points from four consecutive wins.
Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said, “We received the forfeit from North Korea from FIFA. I hope the national team, staff and players will continue to play well to qualify for the World Cup. The JFA will continue to support them.”
Hajime Moriyasu said, “We have been informed of Japan’s forfeit. Although we have lost valuable playing time for our players, we are positive that we have moved forward. We will not be satisfied with this, but will build up our strength until the June A match, the final qualifiers and the World Cup.”