North Korean football team arrives in Japan for Asian Games
North Korea's men's national football team has arrived in Osaka, Japan, to take part in the 2026 Asian Games. The team flew in from Beijing, and supporters of Pyongyang carrying North Korean flags met it at the airport, Dawn reports.
The footballers were dressed in white blazers with the North Korean flag on the chest, light-blue shirts, blue trousers and pink ties. Supporters sang songs, waved flags and presented the team with bouquets. Before leaving by bus, the players waved to people from the windows and gave fans high fives.
Participation in 14 sports
North Korea will be represented at the Asian Games in Nagoya-Aichi by more than 100 athletes competing in 14 sports. The official opening of the Games is scheduled for September 19, although some competitions, including the football tournament, will begin earlier.
North Korea's men's team will play its first match against China on September 16. North Korea's women's football team was due to arrive in Japan in the evening. It will begin the tournament with a match against Bangladesh on Monday and will play South Korea, which is also in its group, on September 21.
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Exception to entry ban
As part of sanctions related to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, Japan generally prohibits North Korean citizens from entering the country. However, exceptions are possible for athletes, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.
According to him, the Games' goal of promoting international exchange creates special circumstances for granting entry permission. Kihara stressed that Japan's general policy of banning entry for North Korean citizens has not changed. Japan and North Korea have no diplomatic relations.
North Korea suspended its participation in international sporting competitions during the pandemic, but returned to the Asian Games in China in 2023 and also took part in the Paris Olympics.
