North Korea national football team
| Nickname(s) | Chollima (Korean: 천리마) Samba of East Asia (Korean: 동아시아의 삼바) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | DPR Korea Football Association | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Sin Yong-nam | ||
| Captain | Jang Kuk-chol | ||
| Most caps | Ri Myong-guk (118) | ||
| Top scorer | Jong Il-gwan (31) | ||
| Home stadium | Kim Il Sung Stadium | ||
| FIFA code | PRK | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 118 3 (3 April 2025) | ||
| Highest | 57 (November 1993) | ||
| Lowest | 181 (October – November 1998) | ||
| First international | |||
| China 0–1 North Korea (Beijing, China; 7 October 1956) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| North Korea 21–0 Guam (Taipei, Taiwan; 11 March 2005) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Portugal 7–0 North Korea (Cape Town, South Africa; 21 June 2010) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 1966) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (1966) | ||
| AFC Asian Cup | |||
| Appearances | 6 (first in 1980) | ||
| Best result | Fourth place (1980) | ||
| AFC Challenge Cup | |||
| Appearances | 3 (first in 2008) | ||
| Best result | Champions (2010, 2012) | ||
| EAFF E-1 Football Championship | |||
| Appearances | 4 (first in 2005) | ||
| Best result | Third place (2005, 2015) | ||
| DPR of Korea national football team | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 축구 국가대표팀 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國蹴球國家代表팀 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Chukgu Gukga Daepyo Tim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ukku Kukka Taep'yo T'im |
| Munhwaŏ | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 국가종합팀 |
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國家綜合팀 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Gukga Jonghap Tim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Kukka Chonghap T'im |
The North Korea national football team (Munhwaeo Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 국가종합팀; North Korean romanisation: Josŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kukka chonghap thim; recognized as Korea DPR by FIFA) represents North Korea in men's international football and it is controlled by the DPR Korea Football Association, the governing body for Football in North Korea. The team represents both FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
North Korea’s national team made its FIFA World Cup debut in 1966, reaching the quarter-finals and defeating Italy in the group stage, becoming the first men's Asian team in history to advance beyond the group stage. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, controversy arose when the team's supporters rioted over the teams failure to qualify, interfering with the opposing team’s exit from the stadium. In 2009, the team secured qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, marking its second World Cup appearance in their history. North Korea has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup six times; finishing fourth in 1980, and appearing in 1992, 2011, in 2015, and in 2019. The current squad is includes both native North Koreans and Zainichi Koreans.