you don't need to apologise as it's a bit murky

North Korea qualified for the 1966 World Cup finals by an unorthodox route. The normal group basis was disrupted for Asia for 1966, as sixteen countries' federations boycotted the event. FIFA's allocation of just one place in the finals for Africa, Asia, and Oceania was seen as too restrictive, and the following withdrew in protest: Algeria, Cameroons, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal South Korea, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.18 The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Australia were the only non-boycotting federations. Qualification for the one available place was settled by a two match play-off, staged in Pnom-Penh in November 1965. North Korea won both matches, 6-1 and 3-1 respectively.

so basically asia wasn't a whole federation. indeed the british government didn't recognise the DRNK and thought about refusing them entry.

Posted By: SCC 26, May 30, 11:50:51