1 post tagged “fifa”

A rogue state, nuclear weapons, chest-beating diplomacy, and international condemnation may all evaporate as FIFA's World Cup takes over. North Korea's qualification for the Finals in 2010 has elevated them into World headlines for a good reason for once. Maybe now the hand of friendship will enter US relations with North Korea as sport leads the way in bringing nations together. US lead brinkmanship within the UN has failed to deliver. A case of bringing the wrong ball to the game. As the World now looks at North Korea in a different light, the universal code of Football will momentarily bring nations together. It did so in 1998 in a match between the USA and Iran, and it did it in 1966 when North Korea last made the finals. Chest-Beating Diplomacy then dictated that there would be no flag or National Anthem ceremonies for North Korea, but their exuberant football won the hearts of the crowds. My dad went to some of the 1966 matches and told me of how North Korea were crowd favourites and many were disappointed that Eusabio's run of goals stopped them in a Quarter Final.
This time I would expect them to get a more friendly reception from the hosts South Africa given its Government's socialist leanings, but I wouldn't expect them to get past the first stage of competition. Just for fun it would be good to see North Korea drawn in a group with USA, or England, just to rub their politicians face in it.