North Korea and Philippines Qualify for Women’s World Cup

North Korea and Philippines Qualify for Women's World Cup
Hong Song Ok of DPR Korea attempts to cross but is blocked by Chi Lan Chang of Chinese Taipei Photo by Albert PerezGetty Images

North Korea and the Philippines have qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The beaten quarter-finalists at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup went into qualification play-off matches for the World Cup.

North Korea won 4-0 over Chinese Taipei, featuring a hat-trick by Hong Song-Ok.

She scored after the half-hour mark and doubled her tally four minutes into the second half.

Kim Kyong-Yong soon added a third, before Hong Song-Ok completed her treble.

AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026: Playoff - Uzbekistan v Philippines
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19:
Philippines celebrate victory during the AFC Womens Asian Cup Australia 2026 Playoff match between Uzbekistan and Philippines Photo by Albert PerezGetty Images

The Philippines secured a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan with two goals in a five-minute spell early in the second half, watched by 11,842 at the Gold Coast Stadium.

Angela Beard broke the deadlock with a volley in off the underside of the crossbar, and Jaclyn Sawicki headed home the second, leaving the Uzbeks to pin their qualification hopes on the inter-confederation play-offs.

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Wilf Frith
Wilf Frith is a women’s football news editor who works for Her Goal Magazine and had been with all its predecessors since 1996, becoming a founding team member after running Sunday Kicks. He has also held previous long-term roles as press officer for the Cornwall Women’s Football League and Penzance Ladies FC.
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