This is Part 1 of a two-part series on North Korea’s participation in the 1966 World Cup. Part 2 can be found here.

Sixty years ago, North Korea’s stunning run to the quarterfinals of the 1966 FIFA World Cup transformed an unknown team into one of soccer’s greatest underdogs, crowned by an unforgettable victory over Italy, which had already won the tournament twice at that point.

But the story behind North Korea’s arrival in England is just as remarkable, shaped by the intricacies of Cold War politics and the demands of hosting the world’s most-watched sporting event.

At a