North Korea Cancels World Cup Qualifier Against Japan
Last-Minute Decision on Tuesday's Match Leaves Football Bodies Searching for Alternative Venue
FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC. World Championship - Qualification - Second Stage
SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) - North Korea's World Cup qualifier against Japan that was scheduled to be held in Pyongyang next week has been called off, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Tuesday.
The AFC said in a statement that the decision was made "due to the current situation in the DPR Korea," referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The match was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday, March 29, but was postponed to Wednesday, March 30, after North Korea requested a change of date.
FIFA, the world governing body of football, said in a statement that it was "disappointed" by North Korea's decision to cancel the match.
"FIFA regrets that the match between DPR Korea and Japan could not take place as scheduled," the statement said.
"FIFA is currently working with the AFC to find a solution."
The cancellation of the match is a blow to Japan's hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Japan is currently second in Group B of the AFC's second round of qualifying, behind Saudi Arabia.
North Korea is bottom of the group with one point from five matches.
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