North Korea's women's national football team has withdrawn from the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, according to sources close to the Asian Football Confederation. The decision comes as a surprise, given the team's recent resurgence after years of absence from international competitions.
The world's ninth-ranked team had been preparing for the tournament, which was set to begin with a Group B match against Uzbekistan on 3 March in Sydney. North Korea, three-time Asian Cup champions, last participated in the tournament in 2010, losing the final to Australia.
The withdrawal follows a period of renewed investment in women's football by the North Korean government, which has historically used the sport as a tool for political propaganda. The team's absence from the 2026 Asian Cup will be a setback for their efforts to return to the summit of Asian football.
No official reason has been given for the withdrawal, but speculation includes ongoing travel restrictions or internal priorities. The Asian Football Confederation has yet to announce a replacement team or revised schedule.
