The North Korea national under-23 football team represents North Korea at football in the Asian Games as well as other under-23 international football tournaments including the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. It is governed by the DPR Korea Football Association.
History North Korea Olympic team was established in 1990. Their first competition was the 1st Pyongyang Tournament. They faced China in the semi-finals of the tournament and won 1–0, but was later defeated by Metalist Kharkov in the final.
North Korea won the gold medal in the 2013 East Asian Games. A year later, North Korea reached the final of the 2014 Asian Games, where they faced their archi-rival South Korea. North Korea lost 1–0 from a last minute goal in extra time and gained the silver medal.
In 2016, North Korea reached the quarter-finals of the AFC U-23 Championship, their best result in the tournament's competition as of 2026.
Results and fixtures Matches in last 12 months, as well as any future scheduled matches
Legend
2026
Players Current squad The following 22 players were called up for the 2026 Asian Games.
Caps and goals as of 23 September 2026 after the match against Iran.
* Over-aged player.
Recent call-ups The following players have been called up for the team and are still available for selection.
Players in bold have capped for the senior team. PRE Preliminary squad INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. SUS Serving suspension. WD Player withdrew from the squad due to other reasons.
Previous squads
AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2013 AFC U-22 Championship squads – North Korea 2016 AFC U-23 Championship squads – North Korea 2018 AFC U-23 Championship squads – North Korea 2020 AFC U-23 Championship squads – North Korea
Asian Games Football at the 2002 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2006 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2010 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2014 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2018 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2022 Asian Games squads – North Korea Football at the 2026 Asian Games squads – North Korea
Overage players in Asian Games TournamentPlayer 1Player 2Player 3 Ri Man-chol (DF) Han Song-chol (MF) Jon Yong-chol (MF) So Hyok-chol (DF) Hong Yong-jo (MF) Mun In-guk (MF) Ri Kwang-chon (DF) Kim Yong-jun (MF) Pak Nam-chol (MF)
Competitive record Olympic Games From 1992 Summer Olympics, at the first tournament to be played in an under-23 format. YearRoundGPWD*LGSGA 1992Did not qualify 1996Did not enter 2000 to 2020Did not qualify 2024WithdrewTotal0/7––––––
AFC U-23 Asian Cup AFC U-23 Asian Cup recordHosts / YearResult 2013Round 1311132 2016Quarter-finals402268 2018Round 1311134 2020Round 1310235 2022 to 2024Withdrew 2026Did not enter 2028To be determinedTotal4/8133461519
Asian Games From 2002 Asian Games, at the first tournament to be played in an under-23 format.
Asian Games recordHosts / YearResult 2002Quarter-finals420274 2006421134 2010541090 2014Runners-up6501112 2018Quarter-finals522186 2022540176 2026411254Total7/73320585026
East Asian Games From 2001 East Asian Games, at the first tournament to be played in an under-23 format.
East Asian Games recordHosts / YearResult 2001did not enter 2005Runners-up5311182 2009Fourth place4121113 2013Champions4310125Total3/4137424110
References
External links Soccerway - Profile