World Cup Record: Quarter-finals 1966

Manager: Kim Jong-Hun (capt)
Key Player: Hong Jong-Jo
Qualified: 2nd Asia Group 2
Odds: 500/1

The last and only time North Korea qualified for the World Cup was in 1966 where against all the odds they qualified for the quarter-final stage, eventually losing to Portugal. Their exploits are still lauded by North Koreans and was the subject of a documentary film ‘The game of their lives’. Whether this legacy will hinder or encourage them this time around only time will tell. They do not possess big name stars that would be recognizable on the world stage due, mainly to the restrictions on their own players entering foreign leagues. They will be among the under dogs for the World Cup but any near repeat of the heroics of 1966 would make the players national heroes.

Hong Jong-Jo

Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: FC Rostov (Russia)
Caps: 38 (11 goals)

Hong Jong-Jo currently plays for Rostov in the Russian Premier League, where he moved after spells at April 25 in his home country and FK Bezanija in Serbia. He scored 4 goals in 14 appearances to help North Korea qualify for the finals in South Africa. In a predominately defensive side he stands out as the player who will have to deliver the goals needed for North Korea to progress from the Group stages. He also captains the side and his experience in foreign leagues will be of prime importance for a team taken in the main from their domestic league.