Thrilling Stalemate: Qatar Holds Off North Korea in 2026 World Cup Qualifier Showdown

Qatar and North Korea Share the Spoils in 2-2 Draw

The Qatari national team secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against host North Korea in the second round of the first group of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in Laos.

The match saw a dramatic turn of events, with North Korea taking the lead through Ri Il Sang’s goal in the 19th minute. However, Qatar national team star Akram Afif equalized from the penalty kick in the 31st minute, after North Korean captain Kuk Chol-yang received a red card.

Al-Moez Ali added the second goal for Al-Anabi in the 44th minute, but the North Korean national team equalized with Kang Kook-chul’s free kick in the 52nd minute, despite being a man down.

The match was temporarily halted in the 57th minute due to heavy rain flooding the field. Play resumed ten minutes later, but both teams settled for a point, despite the extra ten minutes of stoppage time.

With this draw, Qatar’s national team earned its first point in the qualifiers, following a 1-3 loss to the UAE in the first round. North Korea also picked up their first point, after a one-goal loss to Uzbekistan in the first round.