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Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

How North Korea has become a powerhouse in women's football

North Korea won the Under 20 Women’s World Cup for a third time last month, meaning they are now one of the most successful sides in the tournament’s history. So how has such a politically isolated country forged such a strong presence on the global stage?


We’re joined by Tokyo-based sports journalist Alex Bishop, who talks us through that winning moment in Bogotá, their rise as a women’s football power and why North Korea’s youth development is so strong.


Plus, Alex explains how their senior team has consistently maintained a top-ten FIFA ranking, and whether he can see them at the World Cup in Brazil in 2027. Join us!


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