PARIS — This is a story about North Korea, a dubious lightning strike, the curative wonders of deer musk glands and how Thailand became a women’s soccer power.

It also is the story of the insurance magnate who is the general manager and benefactor of the Thai team. And the American-born Thai forward who will face one of her childhood heroes on Tuesday when Thailand plays the United States in their opening match of the Women’s World Cup in Reims, France.

“I don’t think the Thais consider themselves an Asian power,” said Thailand forward Miranda Nild, 22, who grew up in the Bay Area and attended Cal-Berkeley, as did the American star Alex Morgan, whom Nild idolized as a younger player. “The rumor was we made it because North Korea couldn’t make it.”

It is more than rumor. At the 2011 Women’s World Cup, five North Korean players tested positive for steroids and the team was banned from the 2015 tournament. Now, plenty of people deny using prohibited substances. Many produce extravagant alibis for how illicit drugs entered their bodies: Their toothpaste was spiked. They kissed their girlfriend too passionately. They absorbed a twin in utero.