North Korea name World Cup squad

North Korea have named a 23-man squad for their World Cup campaign in South Africa.

FIFA issued the preliminary squads for all 32 participating nations this morning following Tuesday’s deadline, thus revealing the North Korea line-up.

Just three players ply their trade outside North Korea, a secretive communist state which has tight controls on information – An Yong-hak and Jong Tae-se, who play in Japan for Omiya Ardija and Kawasaki Frontale, respectively, and Hong Yong-jo, who plays for FK Rostov in Russia.

North Korea will meet Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

Their first match is at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park against five-time winners Brazil on June 15.

Squad: Kim Myong-gil, Kim Myong-won (both Amrokgang), Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City); An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu), An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija), Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang), Choe Kum-chol (April 25), Hong Yong-jo (FK Rostov), Ji Yun-nam (April 25), Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale), Kim Hum-il (April 25), Kim Kyong-il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In-guk, Nam Song-chol (both April 25), Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-chol (April 25), Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang), Pak Sung-hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City), Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop).