Japan are set to make their way to the final stage of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers without kicking a ball after FIFA decided against rescheduling their match at North Korea.
The qualifier was set to be held in North Korea on Tuesday in the capital Pyongyang but the isolated country backed out as hosts without giving a reason.
On Friday the Asian Football Confederation said the match was off and at the weekend FIFA said it "shall neither be played nor rescheduled", since the international football calendar doesn’t have space for it.
"The matter and match outcome will be referred to the FIFA disciplinary committee," football's world governing body added.
North Korea could be slapped with a 3-0 forfeit for not playing the match, which would move Japan into the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Japan defeated North Korea 1-0 in Tokyo on Thursday to register their third win in a row in Asian qualifying Group B.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu, who led Japan to the round of 16 of the previous World Cup after victories over Spain and Germany, was eager to make improvements in North Korea following an unimpressive performance in the home leg.
"It's unfortunate that we lost the opportunity to correct areas of concern and potential areas for improvement that came to light," he said on Friday.
"We will aim to improve as a team based on what we have built so far."
Japan were knocked out of the Asian Cup quarter-finals 2-1 by Iran last month after making their way to the tournament as favourites.
