North Korea to play in football World Cup after 44 years

It will be the first time both Koreas will be part of football's showpiece and the North's first tilt at the World Cup since their trailblazing quarter-final appearance at the 1966 tournament in England.

North Korea coach Kim Jong-Hun praised his players after they overcame the searing conditions of Riyadh to earn the goalless draw against Saudi Arabia that booked their place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1966. 

"We battled to qualify for the World Cup finals," coach Kim Jong-Hun said. "It was so hot in Saudi Arabia after the long journey from Korea, but the belief in the ability of the players snatched the ticket to South Africa."

"We focused on defending as we had come under a lot of pressure from the Saudis and I think our preparation for the game was one factor that earned the victory."

The North Koreans needed only a point at King Fahd International Stadium to secure second place in Group B and an automatic spot in South Africa next year.

Saudi Arabia still have a chance of playing at the World Cup after finishing third in Group B and will feature in the Asian play-offs where they face Bahrain.

The winners of that tie will then face Oceania winners New Zealand in October and November.