Spain edged England to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Sydney on Sunday, capping a monthlong tournament that saw 32 countries from every inhabited continent vie for glory.

But while North Koreans have been able to follow the quadrennial tournament on state television, their own team once again found itself on the outside looking in, despite formerly being one of the strongest teams in Asia.

The women’s national team enjoys a strong following in the DPRK. Despite North Korean society’s patriarchal trappings, the state’s emphasis on sporting equalityhas helped talented players overcome challenges and make a mark