If you've been trying to track the North Korea national football team standings lately, you already know it’s a total headache. One day they are invisible for three years, and the next, they are causing chaos in the Asian Qualifiers. Honestly, following the Chollima—that's their nickname, based on a mythical winged horse—is basically like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape.
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the dust has finally settled on their bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was a wild ride. They made it further than many expected, but the brutal reality of Group A in the Third Round eventually caught up with them.
Where they stand: The 2026 World Cup Qualifier reality
Let’s get straight to the numbers. North Korea finished their Third Round campaign in Group A at the bottom of the pile.
It sounds harsh, but look at the company they were keeping: Iran, Uzbekistan, Qatar, the UAE, and the Kyrgyz Republic. In 10 matches, they didn't manage to secure a single win. They walked away with 3 points, all coming from draws. Specifically, they managed to frustrate Qatar (2-2) and the UAE (1-1) earlier in the cycle, but the second half of the qualifiers was a struggle.
Group A Final Standings (Round 3)
The top of the group was dominated by Iran and Uzbekistan, who both booked their direct tickets to the World Cup. North Korea, unfortunately, ended with a record of 0 wins, 3 draws, and 7 losses. Their goal difference took a massive hit, finishing at -12.
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You’ve got to feel for them a bit. Because they didn't host matches in Pyongyang—playing "home" games in neutral Vientiane, Laos—they never really had that intimidating home-field advantage. That matters. A lot.
The FIFA ranking rollercoaster
As of the latest January 2026 updates, the North Korea national football team standings in the FIFA World Rankings see them sitting around 119th.
It’s a bit of a stagnation. They were 115th back in 2023, and despite a few gritty performances, the lack of wins in competitive matches means they can't climb. For context, their all-time high was 57th back in 1993. They are currently sandwiched between teams like Tanzania and Sierra Leone.
- Current Rank: 119
- AFC Rank: 22nd in Asia
- Trend: Holding steady but struggling to break back into the top 100.
What actually happened in the matches?
If you look at the individual game logs, the story is more nuanced than just "they lost."
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Under head coach Sin Yong-nam, the team actually played some decent defensive football. In November 2024, they only lost 1-0 to a very strong Uzbekistan side. Then, in March 2025, they got absolutely dismantled by Qatar 5-1. That match was the turning point.
Akram Afif basically ran circles around the North Korean defense. Even though Sin Kwang-nam scored a header to give the fans something to cheer about, the gap in quality was obvious. By the time they hit their final matches against Iran and the UAE in June 2025, the morale seemed spent. They lost 3-0 to Iran in Tehran, which effectively ended any mathematical dream of reaching the Fourth Round.
Why they couldn't close the gap
- Neutral Venues: Playing in Laos is fine, but it’s not the Kim Il Sung Stadium.
- Lack of International Exposure: Most of the squad plays domestically. While guys like Ri Jo-guk have shown flashes of brilliance, they lack the week-in, week-out intensity of the top Asian leagues.
- The "Group of Death": Group A was objectively stacked. Facing the Asian champions (Qatar) and the regional powerhouses (Iran) is a tall order for any team ranked outside the top 100.
The silver lining: Asian Cup 2027
It isn't all doom and gloom. Because they reached the Third Round of World Cup qualifying, they automatically qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
This is huge. They missed the 2023 edition entirely. Being back on the biggest stage in Asia means they have a guaranteed platform to improve their standing and get these players some much-needed experience against high-level opposition.
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What's next for the Chollima?
So, where do they go from here? The team is in a rebuilding phase. The focus now shifts entirely to friendlies and preparation for Saudi Arabia 2027.
Keep an eye on Ri Jo-guk. He’s the one player who seems to have that "it" factor, having scored a hat-trick against Myanmar in the earlier rounds. If coach Sin Yong-nam can find a way to integrate more of the U-23 talent that performed well in recent Asian Games, they might actually surprise some people in 2027.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're following the team, keep a close watch on the FIFA International Match Calendar for late 2026. Since they aren't in the World Cup, they will be looking for friendly matches against Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian opponents to build momentum. You can also track individual player stats through the AFC's official portal, as domestic league data from North Korea remains notoriously difficult to find.
Check the official AFC Asian Cup standings periodically to see which "pot" North Korea falls into for the 2027 draw—this will determine if they have another "Group of Death" or a viable path to the knockout stages.