N. Korea Players Celebrate U-20 World Cup Victory in Pyongyang

Members of North Korea's U-20 women's football team, wave at people from a vehicle upon their arrival in Pyongyang on September 28, 2024, after their victory against Japan at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final football match, which took place at the Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” stadium in Colombia's capital Bogota. (AFP)
Members of North Korea's U-20 women's football team, wave at people from a vehicle upon their arrival in Pyongyang on September 28, 2024, after their victory against Japan at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final football match, which took place at the Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” stadium in Colombia's capital Bogota. (AFP)
TT

N. Korea Players Celebrate U-20 World Cup Victory in Pyongyang

Members of North Korea's U-20 women's football team, wave at people from a vehicle upon their arrival in Pyongyang on September 28, 2024, after their victory against Japan at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final football match, which took place at the Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” stadium in Colombia's capital Bogota. (AFP)
Members of North Korea's U-20 women's football team, wave at people from a vehicle upon their arrival in Pyongyang on September 28, 2024, after their victory against Japan at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final football match, which took place at the Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” stadium in Colombia's capital Bogota. (AFP)

North Korea's young women's football team received a thunderous homecoming after their title win at the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, AFP footage showed on Sunday.

The country's U-20 women squad returned home on Saturday after their 1-0 victory over Japan to claim the title in Bogota, their third such victory after tournament wins in 2006 and 2016.

The achievement has placed the isolated country on equal footing with powerhouses Germany and the United States.

The players were greeted by their families at the airport in Pyongyang, many overcome with joy, some in tears.

"I am really happy that we demonstrated to the full the honor of the country. We will continue to demonstrate the dignity of the country," said a visibly emotional Chae Un Yong, captain of the national team.

The players were then escorted onto an open truck decorated with flowers and painted with the North Korean flag, driving through the city as they waved to people on the streets.

"They extended thanks to the cheering citizens, reminding themselves of the time when they played games with the warm encouragement sent by all the people across the country," the official news agency KCNA reported.

AFP footage showed a large crowd of people gathering by the truck to shake the players' hands and wave national flags.

The U-20 Women's World Cup win followed years of the country's withdrawal from international sporting competitions due to the Covid pandemic.

North Korea's women's football team holds a strong foothold on the global stage, ranked ninth, in stark contrast to their male counterparts, who are ranked 111th.



Saudi Arabia and Qatar Gain Home Advantage in Next Asia Qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
TT

Saudi Arabia and Qatar Gain Home Advantage in Next Asia Qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP

Saudi Arabia and Qatar drew home advantage in the fourth round of Asia qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.

In October, Qatar will host Group A that also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman, The Associated Press said.

Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B.

The winner of each round-robin group will take Asia’s last two remaining automatic spots at next summer’s tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The teams that finish second will then meet, with the winner progressing to inter-confederation playoffs, which are scheduled for March 2026.

Six teams from Asia secured qualification last month: Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia have all participated numerous times, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their first appearance.