Asian Games Organizers Played Wrong National Anthem
Officials at the Nagoya games played the North Korean anthem before a South Korean hockey match.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Hockey
Live Poll
Do you trust that major international sporting events can effectively manage their organizational logistics and standards?
Organizers in Nagoya sparked a formal complaint after playing the North Korean national anthem instead of the South Korean anthem before a hockey match against Bangladesh. Officials later played the correct anthem prior to the match kickoff.
Why it matters
The incident drew immediate criticism due to the sensitive geopolitical history between the two nations following the 1950-1953 Korean War. South Korea formally challenged the mistake with tournament leadership.
South Korea defeated Bangladesh with a final score of 5-0 during the hockey match at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The games involve 10,000 athletes from 46 nations competing across 43 different sports.
The players
South Korea
This nation is participating in the Asian Games and filed a formal complaint regarding the anthem error.
North Korea
This nation has a complex geopolitical history with South Korea dating back to the Korean War.
Bangladesh
This country served as the opponent for the South Korean hockey team during the contested match.
The details
Japanese officials at the arena mistakenly played the North Korean anthem, prompting an apology from the stadium announcer. The correct South Korean national anthem was eventually played before the match began.
Timeline
The Asian Games continue in Nagoya through October 4, 2026.
The hockey match took place on September 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This anthem error highlights the ongoing diplomatic tensions that frequently intersect with international sports diplomacy. It complicates the atmosphere of the current Asian Games as athletes attempt to maintain focus on the competition standings.
The match result stands at 5-0, contributing directly to the current group standings for South Korea. Any further sanctions or official responses from Asian Games organizers may impact the tournament's operational protocols for future matches.
The takeaway
Maintaining protocol accuracy is essential in international events where historical sensitivities remain high. Spectators and participants should expect heightened scrutiny on organizational standards throughout the remainder of the games.
What happens next
The Asian Games competition is scheduled to conclude on October 4, 2026.
Further reading
For more news from the rink, visit the Hockey section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that major international sporting events can effectively manage their organizational logistics and standards?
