Lowest Ranked Team To Qualify Since Rankings Began

North Korea Withdraws from 2022 World Cup Qualification

Lowest-Ranked Team to Qualify Since Rankings Began

North Korea, the lowest-ranked team to qualify for the World Cup since FIFA rankings began, has officially withdrawn from qualification for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Sunday.

Second World Cup Appearance in 2010

North Korea's only participation in World Cups this century came in 2010. They qualified and were drawn into Group G of the tournament. The team also qualified for the 2009 FIFA World Cup, their second World Cup appearance in history.

Six AFC Asian Cup Appearances

Despite its limited World Cup participation, North Korea has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup six times. The team's best result came in 1980, when they finished fourth.

Secretive Soccer Team

What happens within North Korea's soccer team has been kept a closely guarded secret since its creation at the end of World War II. The team is known for its intense training and strict discipline.