This Day in History: 2023-02-27

Nr. 413

‘RED MOSQUITOES’ MAKE IT TO ENGLAND (1966)

North Korea has not been a significant force in World Cup competitions over the years. Even when the tournament was held jointly in Japan and South Korea in 2002, a North Korean team stayed away, but it was not always so for the Red Mosquitoes. They had a brief moment in the sun when they came through the 1965 Asia qualifiers and made it to England for the final stages. Despite howls of protest from the South Koreans, a last-minute compromise by the British Foreign Office at the height of the Cold War cleared the North Koreans to play in England.

North Korea players make their way onto the pitch before their FIFA sanctioned 20 minute training session ahead of their quarter-final.