North Korea's fans cheer before the World Cup qualifier in Tokyo (Yuichi YAMAZAKI)

North Korea's home World Cup qualifier against Japan on Tuesday will be held at a neutral venue and not in Pyongyang, the Asian Football Confederation said, four days before the game.

"Normally it's the responsibility of the hosting team to nominate the neutral venue, failing which the AFC will have to nominate," AFC general secretary Windsor John told AFP on Friday.