Global InformationNorth Korea national football team information
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| Nickname(s) | Chollima (Korean: 천리마)[1] Samba of East Asia (Korean: 동아시아의 삼바) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Association | DPR Korea Football Association | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Sin Yong-nam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captain | Jang Kuk-chol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most caps | Ri Myong-guk (118) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top scorer | Jong Il-gwan (29) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | Kim Il Sung Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA code | PRK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 118  4 (4 April 2024)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest | 57 (November 1993) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest | 181 (October – November 1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 China 0–1 North Korea  (Beijing, China; 7 October 1956)[3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 North Korea 21–0 Guam  (Taipei, Taiwan; 11 March 2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Portugal 7–0 North Korea (Cape Town, South Africa; 21 June 2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 1966) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (1966) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AFC Asian Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 5 (first in 1980) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Fourth place (1980) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AFC Challenge Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 3 (first in 2008) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Champions (2010 and 2012) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EAFF E-1 Football Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 4 (first in 2005) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Third place (2005 and 2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| DPR of Korea national football team | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 축구 국가대표팀 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國蹴球國家代表팀 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Chukgu Gukga Daepyo Tim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ukku Kukka Taep'yo T'im |
| Munhwaŏ | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 국가종합팀 |
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國家綜合팀 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Gukga Jonghap Tim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Kukka Chonghap T'im |
The North Korea national football team (Munhwaeo Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 국가종합팀 (North Korean romanisation: Josŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kukka chonghap thim), recognized as Korea DPR by FIFA)[6] represents North Korea in men's international football and it is controlled by the DPR Korea Football Association, the governing body for Football in North Korea. The team represents both FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
In their 1966 World Cup debut, North Korea reached the quarter-finals and beat Italy in the group stage becoming the first men's Asian team in history to make it past the group stage. During the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers, controversy arose when the team's supporters rioted, interfering with the opponents' safe egress from the stadium, because of North Korea's failure to qualify. In 2009, the team qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the second World Cup appearance in their history. North Korea has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup five times; in 1980, when they finished fourth, in 1992, 2011, in 2015, and in 2019. The current team is composed of both native North Koreans and Japanese-born Chongryon-affiliated Koreans.
- ^ Montague, James (12 December 2017). "Inside the Secret World of Football in North Korea". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "North Korea matches, ratings and points exchanged". Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ a b North Korea Archived 3 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine at World Football Elo Ratings
- ^ "Korea DPR". FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022.