The North Korean national soccer team has failed again in its first win of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup North Korea-China. The team staged a fierce chase against Iran, the top seed, but lost by one goal. The team has become less likely to advance to the World Cup finals for the first time in 16 years since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
North Korea lost 2-3 in a home game in the fifth round of Group A of the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup Asia region held at Laos New National Stadium in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday (Korea time). The North was dragged away by conceding three goals first, and recovered two goals in a chase, but failed to tie the score.
The team lost its lead by conceding the first goal midway through the first half. The defense collapsed due to Iran’s offensive. Medi Gaeyei scored the first goal in the 29th minute of the first half. They lost additional points in succession at the end of the first half. They conceded goals one after another to Mohamed Mohevi in the 41st and 45th minutes of the first half, ending the first half trailing by a wide margin of 0-3.
He opened up an opportunity early in the second half. Opponent central defender Shoja Karilzadeh left the game to take a numerical advantage. Mehdi Taremi’s own goal scored at the 11th minute of the second half to recover one goal, and Kim Yu-song’s own goal scored at the 3rd minute of the second half to make it 2-3. He conceded a penalty kick at the 22nd minute of the second half, but Kang Joo-hyuk, the goalkeeper, saved the game to overcome the crisis. However, the team failed to tie the game in the end. Li lost his chance to score points at the 29th minute of the second half, as his shot hit the crossbar. 안전놀이터
Due to the loss, North Korea ranked sixth, the lowest in Group A, with two draws, three losses, five points, eight lost points and two lost points. The team failed to secure even a single win through the fifth round, sending a red light to the finals. Realistically, it would not be easy to rank within the second place in the group that can directly advance to the finals. To reach fourth place in the Asian Playoffs, the team needs to come from behind to turn around in the remaining five games. It will have a home game against Uzbekistan in the sixth round on Wednesday.
Iran, a powerhouse in the Middle East who participated in the third Asian qualifying round after receiving the top seed along with South Korea and Japan, beat North Korea, the lowest ranking team, after hardships. Despite the unfortunate situation of own goal and numerical inferiority caused by the exit of the central defender, Iran secured three points by maintaining the lead it held in the first half until the end. With the victory, Iran continued its unbeaten streak to lead Group A. It ranks first by garnering four wins, one draw, nine points, three losses and 13 points. It will play an away match against Kyrgyzstan in the sixth round on Wednesday.