In recent months, North Korea’s national soccer (football) team has been making waves in the international soccer community after the team’s outstanding performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers captured the attention of many. This newfound hype is not just about the sport, but a reflection of the deep-rooted significance of soccer in North Korean society.

SOCCER’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE IN NORTH KOREA

Football (soccer) is more than just a game in North Korea, but serves as a vital part of the nation’s social and cultural constitution. As a discipline governed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Football Association, soccer acts as a tool for national pride and propaganda, as well as a unifying force that brings together North Koreans from all walks of life amidst experiencing immense suffering and suppression by the government. Soccer is promoted at all levels of society, from schools to workplaces, and is seen as a way to build character and discipline. Young children are encouraged to play soccer from an early age, and the sport is often used as a tool for physical education and social development.

The national team, known as the Chollima (a mythical winged horse symbolizing speed and power – qualities that the North Korean people hold dear), is a source of immense national pride. The team’s home games and matches are often held in large stadiums, like Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Stadium, which is a testament to the sport’s importance. Further, traditional songs and chants are often performed at matches, adding a uniquely North Korean flavor to the games.

SOCCER AS A DIPLOMATIC TOOL

North Korea has long used sports, particularly soccer, as a means of diplomacy. International matches provide a rare opportunity for the hermit kingdom to engage with the global community. In particular, historic matches between North and South Korea have been seen as gestures of peace and reconciliation, even if just temporarily.

Using sports to achieve diplomatic goals is not novel to the country, as Mao Zedong’s China had similarly fostered their relationship through a “friendship first, competition second” approach. It was reported that, despite China’s superior athletic skills, Chinese athletes would purposely lose to North Korean athletes to display both their dominance and goodwill. Though this practice of losing on purpose is no longer as common, China demonstrated its continued support by training North Korean athletes and even sending “volunteer” actors to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa to cheer for North Korea in the absence of its own fans.

CHALLENGES FACED BY NORTH KOREA ATHLETES

Despite its importance, soccer in North Korea is not without its challenges. The government tightly controls soccer, and athletes face strict surveillance and constant pressure to perform, as failures can carry severe consequences. Athletes in North Korea face long periods of isolation, and according to SoccerWay, there are currently only 15 North Korean soccer players abroad playing in five countries, with 27 soccer players having ever played outside of the country in limited geographical areas including Austria, Cambodia, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, South Korea and Thailand.

Meanwhile, training conditions for athletes in North Korea are particularly harsh, as the lack of resources and international exposure directly hinders their practice and development. To make up for the disadvantage, North Korean soccer players have been accused of taking banned steroids to enhance their performance in past FIFA games, which resulted in the team being subjected to unannounced testing by FIFA, as well as a ban from the 2015 Women's World Cup.

ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

North Korea qualified and participated in just two FIFA World Cup events: in the 1966 and 2010. While the team advanced to the quarter finals in the 1966 event, North Korea lost all three group matches and did not advance past the group stage in 2010.

The women’s national team have appeared in every FIFA Women's World Cup from 1999 to 2011. As of the June 2024 FIFA rankings, the team is ranked 10th in the world.

As many North Korean athletes received warmth and acknowledgement from competitors at the most recent Paris 2024 Olympics, we hope to see the game of soccer bring North Korea to the global stage where they might experience more of the same. Through these exchanges, there’s hope for dispelling the indoctrination that they’ve lived and trained under their whole lives.