The two Koreas have agreed to play their World Cup qualifier in China this month under the mediation of soccer's world governing body.

The transfer of the match from the North Korean capital Pyongyang came after South Korea last month asked FIFA to mediate a dispute over North Korea's refusal to let the South play its national anthem and fly its flag before the match.

South Korea's Football Association spokesman Yoo Young-chol said FIFA notified the two Koreas earlier this week of a proposal to hold the match in Shanghai on March 26.

The countries accepted it, and FIFA faxed an official notification of its decision to the South Korean football body on Friday, Yoo said.

The divided Koreas will use their respective anthems and flags in Shanghai, he said.

FIFA confirmed the decision, adding that it was made "in the best interests of football."

In recent years, the two Koreas have displayed the blue and white "unification flag" and used the traditional song "Arirang" at exhibition sports events. Both sides marched together under the unification flag at several major international sports events following the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The North had insisted the sides do the same in Pyongyang, while the South argued a FIFA rule stipulates national anthems and flags should be used at international matches.

The two Koreas are in the same group with Turkmenistan and Jordan in the Asian third-round qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. In opening matches, South Korea beat Turkmenistan 4-0 and North Korea defeated Jordan 1-0.