FIFA has confirmed that it has no further information at this stage about the whereabouts of the four North Korea players who are believed to have gone missing in South Africa.

The official teamsheet for the Koreans' opener against Brazil ealier this week listed Myong-won, An Chol-hyok, Kim Kyong-il and Pak Sung-hyok as absent.

There is speculation that the four have tried to defect, although FIFA communications directr Nicolas Maignot could offer little at this stage by way of clarification.

"We have no information on this - we have only been contacted on this issue by the media," he told reporters.

"Our media officer with the Korea DPR who has spoken to their delegation [says they] completely deny these rumours."