Korea DPR to unveil new shirt for World Cup 2010?

The North Korean national football team forms part of the Asian Football Confederation and is ranked 102nd in the March 2010 ranking. The team has qualified for the 2010 World Cup, which is only its second in its history, with the other event being the one of 1966. Korea DPR are one of four Asian teams to have qualified for South Africa 2010, with the other three being Japan, South Korea and Australia. The North Korean team has been drawn in arguably the toughest of the groups, Group G, comprising of Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal. Korea DPR start their World Cup campaign against Brazil (15 June), followed by Portugal (21 June) and Ivory Coast (25 June). In the 1966 event, the team reached the quarter finals, but the probability of them repeating that achievement is very narrow.

It is yet unclear what kit the North Koreans will wear for South Africa 2010, as they are the only national team which has not unveiled its playing strip for the World Cup. It is even unclear whether a shirt will be produced by the team’s new manufacturer ERKE, a Chinese sportswear brand. Normally, the North Koreans play in red home kits. The 2008/09 shirt of North Korea was manufactured by Hummel, and can be seen above.