Syria and North Korea get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign underway on Thursday with a game at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.
With Japan participating in Group B, these two nations - as well as Myanmar - are realistically competing for the runners-up spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
As many as four years have gone by since North Korea last played an international fixture, a consequence of withdrawing from the qualification process for the last World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup.
That was due to fears involving the coronavirus pandemic, but Chollima are now back on the international scene after a prolonged absence.
How they may fare is a mystery as North Korea are currently on a three-match winning streak, albeit from their last encounters in 2019.
Sin Yong-nam is now at the helm and is tasked with at least trying to negotiate this phase of the competition, with Japan not to come until next year.
In sharp contrast, Syria have been extremely active in friendlies across the last two years, making considerable progress along the way.
Most notably, they recorded a famous win against China as recently as September, while the Qasioun Eagles have not lost by more than a one-goal margin for more than a year.
The return of North Korea may make things tricky for Syria in terms of qualification, but Hector Cuper has instilled belief in this crop of players.
With a home fixture against Japan to follow five days later, Cuper will recognise the importance of beginning their campaign with maximum points.
Team News
With Cuper able to select the same Syria XI from the Kuwait fixture, he may opt for continuity for such an important fixture.
As far as the North Korea team news is concerned, there is currently no details on their squad for this encounter.
Syria possible starting lineup:
Alma; Weiss, Krouma, Al-Khouli, Kourdoghli; Al-Mawas, Osman, Ham, Ramadan; Al-Somah, Mardikian
We say: Syria 2-1 North Korea
Given North Korea's absence from the international stage, the outcome of this contest is difficult to predict. It leaves us only able to predict a victory for Syria, albeit in a highly-competitive match with what could be at stake come the end of the group.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
