Rare. FIFA announced on its website on Saturday March 23 that it had simply canceled a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup between Japan and North Korea. It was to be held on Tuesday March 26 in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. Reason given: North Korea's inability to host the match, and the absence of an alternative solution. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced last Friday that the meeting could not be held on the scheduled date and in the initial location, citing “ unforeseen circumstances ». There was then no question of a cancellation yet, more of a postponement. But FIFA explained it the next day: the international calendar does not allow, in its current state, to find another date. The file will be submitted to the disciplinary committee of the body. In particular, she will have to decide the outcome of the meeting. In the first leg, Thursday March 21 in Tokyo, Japan beat North Korea 1-0. The Japanese, who still have to face Myanmar and Syria in World Cup qualifying in the Asian zone, have three wins and no defeats. In the women's category, North Korea was unable to host Japan for the second leg of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Games. But the meeting, initially scheduled for Pyongyang, was able to be moved and finally played in Saudi Arabia. .
