North Korea vs UAE Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)

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North Korea are on the verge of having their elimination from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification mathematically confirmed as they take on the United Arab Emirates this week.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 25th March, 2025: UK – 6:15pm / US ET – 2:15pm / US PT – 11:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
Key Stats
- Korea DPR are unbeaten in the last five international matches between these teams (W3 D2).
- Korea DPR are without a win in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches (D2 L5).
- Although they lost 0-2 against IR Iran in their most recent fixture, United Arab Emirates have lost only three of their last 13 World Cup qualifying matches (W8 D2).
North Korea vs UAE Prediction
This game is being played at the neutral venue of the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as opposed to being played in Pyongyang. The North Koreans have badly struggled throughout the third round of the AFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The North Koreans have managed to collect just a solitary point from their opening seven matches of this stage. They come into this one on the back of being annihilated by five goals to one by Qatar in Qatar the other day, meaning that they have now conceded 14 goals in those seven matches.
They now face a United Arab Emirates side that, under the management of former Portugal and South Korea boss Paulo Bento, are set for a top four finish and fourth round qualification but they sit six points behind Uzbekistan in the top two. UAE were beaten 2-0 by group leaders Iran in Tehran the other day.
The North Koreans do not have home advantage in this one and that should further benefit an Emirati side that are already firm favourites for this clash as they chase FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time since 1990.
North Korea vs UAE Tip: UAE to win