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AFC Asian Cup
Drawn in Group B alongside Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Jordan, the East Asian side will look to build on a proud history that includes a fourth-place finish in 1980.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 121
Previous appearances: 5
First appearance: 1980
Best finish: Fourth place (1980)
2023 result: Withdrew during qualifying
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B runners-up
Group B fixtures - Jan 8 v Bahrain, Jan 13 v Uzbekistan, Jan 18 v Jordan
Fun fact: DPR Korea reached the semi-finals on their Asian Cup™ debut in 1980, finishing fourth after losing to Islamic Republic of Iran in the playoff match.
FIFA Ranking: 121
Previous appearances: 5
First appearance: 1980
Best finish: Fourth place (1980)
2023 result: Withdrew during qualifying
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B runners-up
Group B fixtures - Jan 8 v Bahrain, Jan 13 v Uzbekistan, Jan 18 v Jordan
Fun fact: DPR Korea reached the semi-finals on their Asian Cup™ debut in 1980, finishing fourth after losing to Islamic Republic of Iran in the playoff match.
DPR Korea made an immediate impression at Kuwait 1980, advancing from their group before defeating Syria in the quarter-finals. Their run ended in the semi-finals with a defeat to Korea Republic, followed by another defeat to Iran in the third-place match.
They returned to the Finals in 1992, but suffered a group-stage exit. DPR Korea also came up short in the group stage at Qatar 2011, while their subsequent appearances in 2015 and 2019 ended without a win.
They returned to the Finals in 1992, but suffered a group-stage exit. DPR Korea also came up short in the group stage at Qatar 2011, while their subsequent appearances in 2015 and 2019 ended without a win.
The East Asian side did not compete at Qatar 2023 after withdrawing during the qualifying campaign, making their return to the upcoming edition a significant one.
DPR Korea secured their place at the 2027 Finals by finishing second behind Japan in Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B. A 4-1 win over Myanmar in their final match, featuring a hat-trick from Ri Jo Guk, confirmed their progression with nine points.
DPR Korea secured their place at the 2027 Finals by finishing second behind Japan in Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B. A 4-1 win over Myanmar in their final match, featuring a hat-trick from Ri Jo Guk, confirmed their progression with nine points.
They will face familiar opposition in Group B, with fixtures against Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Jordan offering a chance to test themselves against sides with recent continental experience.
