North Korea – Japan: Two-team rematch cancelled

FIFA confirmed that – for World Cup 2026 qualifiers it will not be done , considering that there is no free date in the international calendar for reprogramming. The repeat qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup, between the North Korea and Japan national teams, scheduled for yes to become tomorrow (26/3) in Pyongyang , “neither will be held nor reprogrammed”, refers to a relevant FIFA announcement, effectively giving the qualification to the Japanese. “The case and the outcome of the meeting will be submitted to the FIFA disciplinary committee,” reported in the World Federation’s announcement on North Korea – Japan. After Japan won 1–0 in the first match in Tokyo, North Korea was to host the rematch this week, but local authorities suddenly announced Thursday that they could not organise the match, without the slightest explanation. Along the way, the Asian Football Confederation (CAF) announced that the race would not take place at all and FIFA subsequently confirmed it, considering that there is no free date in the international calendar for reprogramming. If she gets the match in the “papers”, Japan is certain to secure the first place of her group and participate in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.