'Largest-Ever' North Korean Soccer Delegation of 180 Arrives in Japan for Asian Games

Participation in 14 Disciplines, Largest Delegation to Visit Japan

"Entry Approved the Previous Day...Permitted as Part of Sports Exchange"

The North Korean national soccer team has entered Japan for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The North Korean national football team arrived at Osaka Kansai International Airport on the 11th to attend the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to Japanese media outlets such as the Sankei Shimbun on the 11th, the North Korean soccer delegation arrived in Japan via Osaka Kansai International Airport.

Previously, Choson Sinbo, the official organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), reported on the 8th that North Korea would send a total of about 100 athletes, including two members affiliated with Chongryon, to compete in 14 disciplines including soccer, weightlifting, table tennis, and wrestling for this Asian Games. Including interpreters and support staff, the entire delegation is expected to number around 180. This marks the largest North Korean athletic delegation ever to visit Japan for a sports competition.

The North Korean team disembarked from the plane wearing white tops and blue pants, and most were reportedly wearing masks. The women’s soccer team is expected to arrive later that night.

Japanese media explained, "The Japanese government, as part of its independent sanctions over nuclear and missile development, generally prohibits the entry of North Korean nationals, but allowed an exception for this visit for the sake of sports exchange," adding, "It is necessary to separate sanctions from the opportunity to participate in international events."

Sources familiar with North Korea-Japan relations said that the entry of the North Korean delegation was approved the previous day, and that Kim Il Guk, North Korea’s sports minister, is also reportedly coordinating a visit to Japan to observe the Asian Games.

Having arrived in Japan, the North Korean soccer team will now prepare for the opening of the Asian Games. The men’s national soccer team will play its first group stage match in Group B against China on September 16 at 7:00 p.m., followed by matches against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 20 at 7:00 p.m., and Iran on September 23 at 2:30 p.m.

In Group F, the women’s national soccer team is set to face Bangladesh in their first match on September 14 at 4:00 p.m., and then compete against Myanmar on September 17 at 7:30 p.m. On September 21 at 4:00 p.m., the team will play against South Korea—coached by Shin Sangwoo—in an inter-Korean showdown.

Meanwhile, Chongryon is planning a major campaign to support the North Korean delegation at the Games. Choson Sinbo described the support for the North Korean athletes as "a mass patriotic initiative that showcases the presence of Chongryon and Korean residents in Japan to the world," and called for all organizational resources to be mobilized to welcome and cheer for the team.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.