Manager: Kim-Jong Hun

Key player: Hong Yong-Jo

Best: Quarter-final (1966)

World ranking: 84

Iran's failure to defeat South Korea in Seoul earlier in the day meant North Korea only needed to draw in their final group match against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. They did exactly that, with a 0-0 result putting them into their first World Cup finals since 1966. Back then, they famously defeated Italy 1-0 before being beaten 5-3 in the quarter-finals by Portugal - despite taking a 3-0 lead.

Whilst unlikely to pose too many problems to the bigger nations in South Africa, North Korea remain something of an unknown quantity. The majority of their squad are based domestically and in their recent 0-0 draw against Congo in France - their first match on European soil since 1966 - gave little away despite the side missing six key players. Russian-based forward Hong Yong-Jo is arguably their most prominent player, although Suwon Bluewings midfielder Ahn-Young Hak is also an able performer.