Naegohyang Women's FC players celebrate after defeating Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League final in Suwon, May 23, 2026. AFP-Yonhap
North Korea as world champions? It could happen as soon as next year. Of the teams that head to Brazil in 2027 for the Women’s World Cup, it has to be considered a serious contender.
The nation has seen so much success in recent years, and there was more last weekend when Naegohyang FC went to Suwon Sports Complex for the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League and beat Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 to become just the second winners of the continental tournament.
That club success follows national team glory. In 2024, the North Korean women won the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. The following year, they won the U-17 World Cup again. At the continental level, the youth squad has been impressive too, with the U-17 team winning the 2024 and 2026 Asian Cup tournaments.
"We don't have enough time to explain the evolution of our national football programs," said Naegohyang head coach Ri Yu-il, who has also coached the national team. "We have a specialized player development system. Players are well-trained from a young age and as they grow older, they contribute to good performances at AFC or FIFA competitions."
It is interesting that despite the isolation of North Korea, they are able to develop players that can stand alongside the best in the world. While some of the methods may not be desirable to import, there is something to be said for discipline and patience in executing a long-term vision.
The same progress has not happened with the men. Famously, North Korea was the first Asian team to reach the latter stages of the World Cup, eliminating Italy before losing 5-3 to Portugal in the quarterfinals back in 1966.
The Chollima returned to the global stage in 2010, and there were signs that it could be a regular participant. Players even started to go and play in Spain and Italy at a young age, and there was a desire to create genuine international experience for the players.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a major brake on this, and Pyongyang reverted back to an isolationism that it hasn’t fully left. The men withdrew from competition and returned to try and make the 2026 World Cup, but did not impress. There is no question that the talent is there, and the women have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with.
These are developments that should be watched with interest in South Korean soccer. The realities of life often get in the way, but a closer relationship on the field could be beneficial.
Source: Korea Times News
