Berlin: Japan are expected to be declared winners of a 2026 World Cup qualifier in North Korea after the ruling body FIFA said on Saturday that the match originally scheduled to take place in Pyongyang would not be played. The news came after the Asian confederation said that North Korea wanted to move the match scheduled for Tuesday to a neutral venue due to “unavoidable circumstances.” FIFA said: “In the absence of an alternative home venue confirmed by the DPRK FA and the lack of space in the calendar to postpone this game, the Bureau decided that the qualifying fixture shall neither be played nor rescheduled. “In addition, the matter and match outcome will be referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.” Japan won the reverse fixture 1-0 at home on Thursday. (dpa)
