FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Not only will the East Asian side be seeking a record-breaking fourth title but they will also be seeking to become the first team to defend the global crown.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: Champions (2006, 2016, 2024)
2024 result: Champions
How they qualified: AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ runners-up
Group E fixtures - Sept 7: v Portugal; Sept 10: v Costa Rica; Sept 13: v Colombia
Fun fact: DPR Korea achieved a minimal quarter-final appearance in all of their previous eight participations.
Losing to Japan in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ final will only make DPR Korea more determined to defend their crown.
Despite dominating the decider with almost 62 percent possession and 17 shots - five of which were on target - DPR Korea could not breach the Japanese defensive wall as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Head coach Han Chol Hak's immediate reaction was a promise that DPR Korea would be much sharper in the defence of their world title and will be eager to see his charges getting their campaign off to a fine start against Portugal on September 7.
#U20WAC | Final: Japan 1-0 DPR Korea
The European side secured their first qualification for a FIFA women’s youth tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship and can be expected to be highly competitive.
Victory against Portugal will set DPR Korea up nicely for their encounter with Costa Rica, who lost all their previous 12 matches on the global stage.
Colombia, however, will be much tougher opposition with the South American side making a fourth consecutive appearance.
DPR Korea, however, will feel they have the quality to see off their Group E challengers, with the squad armed by several players from the teams that won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2024 and 2025.
Leading their charge upfront will be Pak Ok I, who claimed the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026 Top Scorer honour with seven goals and three assists while Pak Ju Gyong took home the Best Goalkeeper award.
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