North Korea’s 26-Goal Rampage: How the DPRK Dominated the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

North Korea’s Unstoppable Force: 26 Goals in the Qualifiers

Did you know North Korea’s women’s football team just went on a wild scoring spree in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers? With a jaw-dropping 26 goals and not a single one conceded, DPRK finished as the top team across all groups. Their 10-0 wins over both Tajikistan and Palestine, capped with a 6-0 thrashing of Malaysia, left fans and analysts speechless. In Korean online communities like DC Inside and FM Korea, users joked that North Korea was playing a different sport altogether, calling their performance ‘unreal’ and ‘on another level’. Some even wondered if this dominance could shake up the tournament in Australia next March.

The Road to Australia: Who Qualified and How?

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is set for March in Australia, with 12 teams in the main event. Australia (host), China, South Korea, and Japan were automatic qualifiers thanks to their top finishes in the previous tournament. The rest—34 teams—had to battle it out in qualifiers split into eight groups. Only the group winners made it through. As of July 2025, North Korea, India, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines have all secured their spots. The last slot will be decided soon. This format means every game was do-or-die, making North Korea’s clean sweep even more impressive.

How Did North Korea Get So Strong? A Look at Their Football Culture

If you’re new to Asian women’s football, you might be surprised by North Korea’s strength. But this isn’t their first rodeo. DPRK’s women’s team has a long history of success, with several Asian Cup titles and a reputation for disciplined, physically demanding play. Training is intense and highly centralized, with a focus on national pride. Fans on Naver and Tistory blogs often discuss how North Korean players seem to play with a unique sense of unity and urgency, reflecting the country’s broader approach to sports as a showcase of national power.

Online Community Reactions: Praise, Jokes, and a Hint of Worry

Korean online communities exploded with reactions to North Korea’s dominance. On Instiz, one user wrote, ‘Is this even fair? 26 goals in three games?’ On Nate Pann, another commented, ‘South Korea better watch out, we haven’t beaten them in 20 years!’ There’s a mix of admiration and anxiety—while some celebrate an Asian team’s global competitiveness, others worry about South Korea’s chances in the main tournament. A few even speculated about the political undertones, with comments like ‘North Korea always shows up big when the world is watching’.

Comparing the Competition: How Did Other Teams Fare?

North Korea wasn’t the only team making headlines. India qualified by beating Thailand 2-1 in a dramatic final group match, while Bangladesh made their tournament debut. The Philippines and Vietnam also topped their groups with strong performances. Still, no team matched North Korea’s sheer goal-scoring power. Community posts on Daum and Naver highlighted how the gap between the top and bottom teams in Asian women’s football remains wide, but North Korea’s consistency is what truly sets them apart.

Cultural Insights: Why North Korean Football Matters to Asian Fans

For overseas fans, understanding North Korea’s football success means looking beyond the pitch. In Korean culture, sports are often seen as a way to assert national pride and identity, especially in international competitions. North Korea’s women’s team is a source of pride for many in the North, but also a point of fascination (and sometimes envy) for fans in the South. On PGR21, users debated whether South Korea could ever match North Korea’s unity and intensity, with some pointing to differences in training philosophy and resources.

What’s Next? Expectations for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

With the main tournament in Australia just months away, all eyes are on North Korea. Will they maintain their dominance against tougher opponents like Japan, China, and the host nation? Korean blogs and forums are buzzing with predictions, tactical analyses, and even memes about a possible North-South showdown. Whatever happens, one thing is clear: North Korea’s 26-goal rampage has set the stage for one of the most anticipated AFC Women’s Asian Cups in history.

The Fandom Factor: How Fans Shape the Narrative

It’s not just about the players—fans play a huge role in building hype and pressure. On DC Inside, posts about North Korea’s games rack up thousands of views and hundreds of comments, ranging from technical breakdowns to pure banter. International fans on Twitter and Reddit are also taking notice, sharing highlights and debating whether North Korea could be a dark horse in the World Cup qualifiers. This cross-border fandom is part of what makes Asian football so vibrant and unpredictable.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Game

North Korea’s 26-goal performance isn’t just a sports story—it’s a window into the cultural, political, and social dynamics of East Asia. As the countdown to Australia 2026 continues, fans across the continent are watching closely, not just to see who wins, but to understand what football means in a region where every goal can carry a nation’s hopes.