The scheduled FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Japan and North Korea, initially set to take place in Pyongyang, was canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Following the cancellation, difficulties have arisen in finding a new venue for the game. The specific reasons behind North Korea's decision to reverse its plans to host the Samurai Blue for the match remain unclear. FIFA officially announced the cancellation of the qualifier. Meanwhile, the North Korean soccer team, which had arrived in Tokyo for the match, was greeted by the Chongryon association of Korean residents in Japan, but they avoided interaction with the Japanese media.
ICYMI: The Chongryon association of Korean residents in Japan greeted the North Korean soccer team when it arrived in Tokyo for a World Cup qualifier on Monday, while the team’s athletes ignored Japanese media and only spoke to the Choson Sinbo. https://t.co/D6HCE1q2Ky
FIFA Cancels Japan & North Korea World Cup Qualifier https://t.co/1urq2aPiwC
Sonny. 🇰🇷💫 @theKFA | #FIFAWorldCup
Details were, and still are, sketchy on the precise reasons North Korea reversed course on its plans to host Samurai Blue for a World Cup qualifying match that was ultimately canceled altogether by FIFA. https://t.co/3WSY9UtWLH
North Korea-Japan qualifier in Pyongyang is off due to 'unforeseen circumstances' (from @AP) https://t.co/18Y6sWjgvz
After the cancellation of the AFC qualifying game in Pyongyang, there have been some difficulties in finding a venue to host the next game between Japan and North Korea. https://t.co/8bpTMFQFwk