North Korea women's football kicked off its 2026 Asian Games bid with a 10-0 thrashing of Bangladesh on Monday. The Group F blowout at Nagai Stadium in Osaka was over before halftime, with DPR Korea already up 7-0 at the break.
North Korea Makes a Statement with 2026 Asian Games Win
That scoreline left little room for drama, especially in the first half. North Korea's attackers overwhelmed Bangladesh from the opening whistle, pouring in three goals within the first 11 minutes of play.
Striker Ri Song-a, who grew up in Japan, added to the tally in the second half. After the match, Ri made clear that her team's ambitions stretch well beyond group play.
"We have an eye on reaching the Asian summit and also next year's World Cup," she said. "I hope I can contribute to the team as much as possible in the limited time available."
The win is just the beginning of a loaded schedule for DPR Korea in Japan. North Korea's women's side will face South Korea in a Group F showdown on September 21st — a rivalry match that should offer a much tougher test.
Meanwhile, the country's contingent at this year's Games stretches well beyond the pitch, with over 100 competitors spread across 14 sports.
