https://www.scmp.com/rss/40/feed Football news including matches, fixtures, transfers and results. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters A top envoy to ⁠US President Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the coming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ‌ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (Fifa president ⁠Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351060/trump-envoy-seeks-replace-iran-italy-world-cup-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351060/trump-envoy-seeks-replace-iran-italy-world-cup-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:07:43 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese referee Ma Ning remained in Saudi Arabia despite claims on Tuesday that he had been removed from the AFC Champions League Elite tournament following a controversial quarter-final performance. Reports from Saudi Arabia media alleged that Ma was dropped and had left the country after Al-Ittihad’s 1-0 loss to Japanese team Machida Zelvia on Friday in Jeddah. Chinese media Beijing Youth Daily, however, rebutted the report the same day, stating that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351033/chinese-referee-ma-ning-remains-jeddah-after-afc-champions-league-elite-controversy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351033/chinese-referee-ma-ning-remains-jeddah-after-afc-champions-league-elite-controversy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan A senior Bayern Munich official believes their match against Aston Villa will be “the best” of the trio of games in Hong Kong this summer, and that the six-times European champions could “fill two stadiums” on a good day. The August 7 clash between Bayern, who on Sunday won their 35th Bundesliga title, and Premier League Villa will be the third high-profile fixture in seven days at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. But Rouven Kasper, Bayern’s chief marketing officer, said he “does not worry at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350923/bayern-munich-pledging-deliver-best-summer-football-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350923/bayern-munich-pledging-deliver-best-summer-football-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:02:01 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong is set to welcome two “blockbuster matches” and underline its status as “a global destination for world-class sport” when four major European football clubs play at Kai Tak Stadium in August. Organisers confirmed on Tuesday that the second Hong Kong Football Festival will feature Manchester City and fellow English club Chelsea, as well as the illustrious Italian pair of Juventus and Inter Milan. As first reported by the South China Morning Post, Premier League title challengers City... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350807/manchester-city-and-chelsea-among-clubs-confirmed-hong-kong-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350807/manchester-city-and-chelsea-among-clubs-confirmed-hong-kong-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:08:29 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After helping wash away the stain of the infamous Lionel Messi fiasco, the organisers of the returning Hong Kong Football Festival are aiming to establish the event as a permanent fixture on the city’s sporting calendar. Last year’s inaugural festival, staged 18 months after Argentine Messi skulked on the bench while his Inter Miami team played at Hong Kong Stadium, drew a pair of record crowds to Kai Tak Stadium. Ahead of Tuesday’s official launch of the 2026 edition, which will feature... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350749/football-festival-boss-eyes-hong-kong-sevens-style-boom-dismisses-threat-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350749/football-festival-boss-eyes-hong-kong-sevens-style-boom-dismisses-threat-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters Vissel Kobe ⁠coach Michael Skibbe is relishing the opportunity to test his team against a higher calibre of opposition when the J-League side play Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite on Thursday. Kobe, winners of the Japanese title in 2023 and 2024, have never won the Asian title and take ‌on the Qatari club, which eliminated four-time champions Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia in a penalty shoot-out on Monday. “This will be a very strong opponent, Al... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350287/afc-champions-league-elite-kobe-expecting-tough-quarter-final-against-mancinis-al-sadd?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350287/afc-champions-league-elite-kobe-expecting-tough-quarter-final-against-mancinis-al-sadd?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A top US lawmaker called on Fifa to pay for World Cup public transport costs on Tuesday following a report that local authorities in New Jersey are planning massive price rises during the tournament. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on X that football’s world governing body – which stands to earn US$11 billion from the tournament – should foot the bill for transport costs to World Cup venues. Schumer was responding to a report in The Athletic on Tuesday which said New... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350105/american-train-bosses-planning-fleece-world-cup-fans-heading-new-york-matches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350105/american-train-bosses-planning-fleece-world-cup-fans-heading-new-york-matches?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:30 +0000 Agencies,Paul McNamara Agencies,Paul McNamara The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on ⁠Tuesday recommended the ⁠expansion of its ⁠premier club competition, proposing the AFC Champions League Elite move to a 32-team tournament from 24 starting from the 2026-27 season. The expansion of the league stage would see ‌it split with 16 teams each in the East and West regions, which the AFC said would boost competitiveness and inclusion across Asian club football. It is currently unclear what the proposed changes would mean for Kitchee, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350016/afc-recommends-expansion-champions-league-elite-32-team-tournament-2026-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3350016/afc-recommends-expansion-champions-league-elite-32-team-tournament-2026-27?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:28:04 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A young Hong Kong footballer who has received personal guidance from Andres Iniesta and Ilkay Gundogan has had to pause his promising career because of the Iran war. Ryan Fok Jun-hei was in Dubai, where he plays for Gulf United, when the war began one day after he turned 19 on February 27. “It was scary for the first few days but you get used to it,” Fok said. “Alerts sound whenever there’s a potential missile threat and you stay inside. The UAE defence system is pretty good; we believed nothing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349839/middle-east-conflict-pauses-dream-hong-kong-footballer-taught-iniesta-gundogan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349839/middle-east-conflict-pauses-dream-hong-kong-footballer-taught-iniesta-gundogan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:30:13 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Inigo Calderon is urging Kitchee to wash away the bitter taste of cup final defeat and wrap up the Premier League on Sunday to prove they are “the best team in Hong Kong”. Victory over BC Rangers at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground would see head coach Calderon’s side crowned champions with four games to spare. They could even have their coronation confirmed earlier in the day should Lee Man, who beat Kitchee in Tuesday’s League Cup final, lose their game at North District. “We have a great chance to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349621/champions-elect-kitchee-out-show-they-are-best-team-hong-kong-despite-cup-final-flop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349621/champions-elect-kitchee-out-show-they-are-best-team-hong-kong-despite-cup-final-flop?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Football match-fixing has raised its ugly head again in China, this time involving an under-10 boys’ game in Beijing where two teams scored six own goals between them. The China Youth Football League clash between top-ranked sides Dongcheng Sports School 16 Orange and Kickers Lan finished 3-3, as both tried to avoid winning their group, thereby securing an easier route through the knockout stages. Video of the game at Xiaojiahe Lvdong Tiandi Football Field quickly went viral, and the predictable... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349665/childrens-tournament-centre-latest-match-fixing-scandal-china-football?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349665/childrens-tournament-centre-latest-match-fixing-scandal-china-football?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:40:24 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Bayern Munich and Aston Villa will bring the curtain down on a week of football in Hong Kong this summer, which will also feature English giants Manchester City and Chelsea, and Italian pair Inter Milan and Juventus. In a statement on Friday, the Bundesliga and Premier League sides said they would clash at Kai Tak Stadium on August 7 in the Audi Football Summit. And while not officially confirmed, sources have told the South China Morning Post that as part of the second Hong Kong Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349600/joy-6-bayern-villa-clash-one-3-matches-set-hong-kong-festival-football?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349600/joy-6-bayern-villa-clash-one-3-matches-set-hong-kong-festival-football?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:01:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters Iran’s government will decide whether the national team will play in the ⁠World Cup only once they ⁠receive a response from Fifa over ⁠the relocation of their matches, the country’s Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali has said. Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to move the team’s three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked ‌an ongoing war in the region. Last month, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349281/iran-wait-fifa-response-venue-switch-making-decision-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349281/iran-wait-fifa-response-venue-switch-making-decision-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Dostonbek Tursunov put in a colossal performance in Lee Man’s 2-1 League Cup final victory over Kitchee on Tuesday, then outlined his desire for a World Cup meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. Capped seven times by Uzbekistan, the 30-year-old centre-back is on a 35-man longlist that head coach Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italy defender, will strip back to 26 for a tournament where his team are grouped with Ronaldo’s Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo. Named man of the match, Tursunov was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349258/lee-man-win-hong-kong-league-cup-following-victory-over-kitchee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349258/lee-man-win-hong-kong-league-cup-following-victory-over-kitchee?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:59:38 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Four years after he arrived in Hong Kong planning a one-season stay, Ruslan Mingazov is on the cusp of what could be one of the most memorable weeks of his decorated career. A title winner in the Czech Republic and Latvia, with Slavia Prague and Skonto Riga respectively, Kitchee forward Mingazov is anticipating a “big battle and beautiful football” when his side clash with Lee Man in the League Cup final on Tuesday. While the Mong Kok Stadium showpiece is laced with jeopardy, victory for Kitchee... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349171/kitchee-international-star-eyeing-hong-kong-league-cup-success-begin-momentous-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349171/kitchee-international-star-eyeing-hong-kong-league-cup-success-begin-momentous-week?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich visit Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals high on confidence and looking like Europe’s most complete side, bolstered by the likely return of superstar striker Harry Kane. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has urged his shell-shocked Arsenal to embrace a major test of their character as they seek to recover from a pair of devastating defeats in their quarter-final at Sporting Lisbon. Record 15-time winners Madrid have endured a difficult season,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349132/real-madrid-hope-champions-league-magic-halts-bayern-machine-arsenal-face-character-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349132/real-madrid-hope-champions-league-magic-halts-bayern-machine-arsenal-face-character-test?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:53:32 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The injury misfortune that befell Yapp Hung-fai back in October ultimately presented an opportunity for Gianni Cassaro to belatedly fulfil his dream of playing football outside Spain. “At the beginning it was a bit daunting, because I didn’t know what was awaiting me here but I had nothing to lose,” said goalkeeper Cassaro, who has recorded three clean sheets from eight appearances since he joined Eastern in January. After stalwart Yapp damaged knee ligaments playing for Hong Kong neither of his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349082/spanish-former-villarreal-goalkeeper-embracing-dream-hong-kong-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349082/spanish-former-villarreal-goalkeeper-embracing-dream-hong-kong-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press At least one person died and 60 others were injured in what seemed to be a crush of fans at a popular football team’s stadium in the Peruvian capital on Friday night, authorities reported. Police said officers rescued people trapped as a result of an influx of Alianza Lima fans in the south stands of the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium the night before their team’s scheduled game against their biggest rival, Universitario. Earlier, the Ministry of Health had reported the collapse of a wall inside... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3349046/1-dead-peru-football-stadium-tragedy-dozens-injured?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3349046/1-dead-peru-football-stadium-tragedy-dozens-injured?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:40:37 +0000 Reuters Reuters Wins over England and Scotland ⁠underline Japan’s status as the Asian nation most likely to make a major impact at the World Cup during an international window of mixed fortunes for the continent’s qualifiers for this summer’s finals. Iraq’s emotional 2-1 victory over Bolivia during the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico took the Gulf state to the World Cup for the ‌first time in 40 years and ensured Asia would have a record nine qualifiers at the tournament. But while Graham Arnold and his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349027/japan-underline-status-asias-best-world-cup-hope-fellow-qualifiers-get-mixed-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349027/japan-underline-status-asias-best-world-cup-hope-fellow-qualifiers-get-mixed-results?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:52:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Japan abruptly axed Nils Nielsen as coach on Thursday just 12 days after taking them to Women’s Asian Cup glory, with football chiefs accusing him of being “lax” and “lacking passion”. Greenlander Nielsen led a rampant Japan to their third Asian title in four tournaments, beating hosts Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21. The 54-year-old had been in the job since December 2024 and was the first foreign-born coach of the Japan women’s team. The Japan Football Association (JFA) said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348880/japan-axe-coach-nils-nielsen-12-days-after-winning-womens-asian-cup-lacking-passion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348880/japan-axe-coach-nils-nielsen-12-days-after-winning-womens-asian-cup-lacking-passion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:30:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Women’s Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia renewed calls on Thursday for equal prize money with the men’s tournament in a direct challenge to the Asian Football Confederation and accused the governing body of “ignoring” previous requests. Japan beat hosts Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21 in front of more than 74,000 fans, the biggest crowd in the competition’s history. It concluded a tournament that made global headlines after seven members of the Iran squad sought asylum... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348850/womens-asian-cup-finalists-accuse-governing-body-ignoring-pleas-equal-prize-money?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348850/womens-asian-cup-finalists-accuse-governing-body-ignoring-pleas-equal-prize-money?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:00:24 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s under-16 women’s team moved into second place at the Montaigu Football World Cup after a 2-1 victory over hosts France on Wednesday, their second consecutive win in the six-team tournament. Zhou Jintong and He Fengqingyang both scored as the visitors triumphed at the Stade Maxime Bossis. China took the lead in the 15th minute when Zhou curled a free kick into the top corner. They doubled their advantage in the 45th minute after He controlled a long pass in the box and scored with a shot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348833/china-under-16-womens-team-beat-hosts-france-second-win-invitational-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348833/china-under-16-womens-team-beat-hosts-france-second-win-invitational-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:09 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Fifa raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to US$10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales on Wednesday after the 48-team field for this year’s tournament was finalised. The price had been US$8,680 when Fifa sold tickets after the tournament draw in December. Fifa’s category two tickets for the July 19 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were US$7,380, up from US$5,575, and category three cost US$5,785, an increase from US$4,185. Tickets were listed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348781/fifa-raises-top-ticket-price-world-cup-final-us8680-us10990-sales-reopen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348781/fifa-raises-top-ticket-price-world-cup-final-us8680-us10990-sales-reopen?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:25:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Coach Graham Arnold has challenged his players to “shock the world” after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental play-off in Mexico. Meanwhile, Japan, who were the first nation to qualify for the finals in North America, made their own slice of history with a statement 1-0 win over England that showed they could go deep at the finals. Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348703/world-cups-last-qualifier-iraq-plot-shock-while-japan-confident-making-more-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348703/world-cups-last-qualifier-iraq-plot-shock-while-japan-confident-making-more-history?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:17 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong’s football team ended their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat in the dead-rubber match against India in Kochi on Tuesday, finishing the group stage under interim head coach Roberto Losada. Losada, who took over after the departure of Ashley Westwood in November, is one of the more than 300 applicants in the running for the permanent head coach role. Hong Kong headed into the match knowing that they were unable to qualify for the Asian Cup next year after losing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348671/hong-kong-coach-losada-ends-asian-cup-qualifying-campaign-defeat-and-mixed-feelings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348671/hong-kong-coach-losada-ends-asian-cup-qualifying-campaign-defeat-and-mixed-feelings?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:29:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year’s tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals. In the intercontinental play-offs, the Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the first time since 1974 and Iraq claimed the final World Cup place. Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348620/world-cup-italy-fail-qualify-third-straight-time-while-sweden-turkey-secure-places?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348620/world-cup-italy-fail-qualify-third-straight-time-while-sweden-turkey-secure-places?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:18:50 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The Fifa World Cup trophy will be on display in Hong Kong for the first time when the Fifa Museum opens in the city in two months. Located on the fourth floor of Times Square in Causeway Bay and taking up 6,000 sq ft, the Fifa Museum will run for six months from its May 28 grand opening, which is expected to be attended by several football legends, including former world champions from Brazil, France and Spain. Asia Partners IFBD Corporation, the global sports investment company that owns the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348526/world-cup-trophies-take-pride-place-when-fifa-museum-opens-hong-kong-6-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348526/world-cup-trophies-take-pride-place-when-fifa-museum-opens-hong-kong-6-months?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:55:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters China’s football team received a reality check on Tuesday when they conceded two early goals to lose 2-0 to Cameroon in a Fifa Series match at AAMI Park in Melbourne. The defeat against the physically strong African side came four days after Shao Jiayi’s team had beaten World Cup-bound Curacao by the same score last Friday. Both China and Cameroon failed to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting in June. Cameroon, who are ranked inside the world top 50, took... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348564/china-football-team-sucker-punched-early-goals-wake-call-against-cameroon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348564/china-football-team-sucker-punched-early-goals-wake-call-against-cameroon?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:30:08 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Earlier this month, Iraq coach Graham Arnold was stranded in Fujairah, on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, because of the Middle East war. He wondered if his national team would even be able to compete for one last chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After travelling a long and winding road to reach Mexico, Arnold and Iraq will seek to return to a World Cup after an absence of 40 years when they face Bolivia in the final of their intercontinental play-off in Monterrey in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348511/fifa-world-cup-2026-after-harrowing-travel-ordeal-iraq-hope-secure-asia-its-9th-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348511/fifa-world-cup-2026-after-harrowing-travel-ordeal-iraq-hope-secure-asia-its-9th-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Italy have one more obstacle standing between them and a return to the World Cup in the shape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who host the Azzurri on Tuesday in what promises to be a tense qualification play-off final in Zenica. Meanwhile, Kosovo are on the verge of winning a spot in the finals for the first time – a potentially momentous sporting turnaround for Europe’s youngest nation. For Italian fans, a battling win over Northern Ireland in last week’s semi-final did little to ease their fears... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348436/fifa-world-cup-italy-hoping-scale-bosnian-everest-tiny-kosovo-verge-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348436/fifa-world-cup-italy-hoping-scale-bosnian-everest-tiny-kosovo-verge-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:00:22 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Premier League’s global appeal is built on packed stadiums and electric atmospheres but as the arms race for talent intensifies, fans are feeling the pinch. A recent Uefa report found English football’s “Big Six” – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – earned nearly 20 per cent more from selling tickets for home matches in the 2024/25 season than 12 months before. Revenue from bumper broadcasting deals and commercial sponsorship still provides the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348361/premier-league-football-fans-feel-pinch-ticket-price-hikes-clubs-target-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348361/premier-league-football-fans-feel-pinch-ticket-price-hikes-clubs-target-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse,dpa Agence France-Presse,dpa Amnesty International has warned that this summer’s football World Cup, spread across three North American countries, risks becoming a “stage for repression” in a report published on Monday. The London-based human rights organisation’s report “Humanity Must Win” details what the organisation calls “significant risks” to and which will impact on fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities in all three host countries. Fifa has promised a tournament where everyone “feels safe,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348390/fifa-world-cup-risks-being-stage-repression-amnesty-international-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348390/fifa-world-cup-risks-being-stage-repression-amnesty-international-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:00:12 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara At first glance there is very little resting on Hong Kong’s Asian Cup qualifier in India on Tuesday, but the dead-rubber contest could potentially shape the next two years for the city team. An assured performance in steamy Kochi would strengthen interim boss Roberto Losada’s case to be chosen ahead of more than 300 rivals for the permanent head coach post. After what is expected to be the final stage of his very public audition for the role, Losada will outline a 24-month plan to his Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348356/asian-cup-clash-india-could-shape-hong-kong-future-roberto-losada-continues-audition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348356/asian-cup-clash-india-could-shape-hong-kong-future-roberto-losada-continues-audition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong football chiefs will “very soon” confirm the identity of the major European clubs that will play in the city this summer, with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Juventus among the teams lined up to visit. Eric Fok Kai-shan, the chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), said his organisation had booked Kai Tak Stadium to host matches in early August. “We are ambitious and want to carry forward the football momentum and culture we created last year,” said Fok, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348245/hong-kong-football-chiefs-set-confirm-heavyweight-european-visitors-very-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348245/hong-kong-football-chiefs-set-confirm-heavyweight-european-visitors-very-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:21:43 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese Olympic speed skating champion Ning Zhongyan is set to trade his blades for football boots, joining his hometown side Harbin to play in the 2026 Northeast China City Football League. Ning, who won the 1,500m speed skating event at last month’s 2026 Winter Olympics, could face another gold medallist on the football pitch, with Milano-Cortina aerials skiing champion Wang Xindi also confirming his participation in the same tournament. Ning, 26, will arrive for the amateur tournament, which... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348202/chinese-winter-olympic-champions-ning-zhongyan-wang-xindi-play-football-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348202/chinese-winter-olympic-champions-ning-zhongyan-wang-xindi-play-football-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:00:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A physical China beat World Cup-bound Curacao 2-0 on Friday in the Caribbean island nation’s first match under new Dutch coach Fred Rutten after the abrupt departure of veteran Dick Advocaat. Wei Shihao and Zhang Yuning scored either side of the break at Sydney’s Stadium Australia in a wake-up call for the tiny country ahead of their debut appearance at the global showpiece in North America in June-July. Curacao, with a population of just 156,000, are the smallest nation ever to make a World... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348143/lower-ranked-china-give-world-cup-bound-curacao-wake-call-fifa-series-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348143/lower-ranked-china-give-world-cup-bound-curacao-wake-call-fifa-series-match?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse India’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier at home against Hong Kong next week will go ahead, the national football body said, after players and coach Khalid Jamil were locked out of the stadium. The hosts’ press conference on Thursday was cancelled because the Kerala Football Association had not paid a mandatory security deposit to the city authorities, who own Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, according to local media. Several players and the coach were denied entry for the press event, the reports... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348109/asian-cup-game-against-hong-kong-india-says-despite-team-being-locked-out-stadium?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348109/asian-cup-game-against-hong-kong-india-says-despite-team-being-locked-out-stadium?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:52:58 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Italy will face Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the 2026 World Cup after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Thursday, as Wales and the Republic of Ireland suffered agonising penalty shoot-out defeats in their qualifying play-off semi-finals. Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean struck second-half goals in Bergamo to keep four-time World Cup winners Italy on track to end a 12-year absence from the tournament. Italy missed the past two editions in Russia and Qatar but Tonali’s powerful drive and an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348073/world-cup-play-offs-italy-stay-track-wales-ireland-suffer-penalty-shoot-out-heartbreak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348073/world-cup-play-offs-italy-stay-track-wales-ireland-suffer-penalty-shoot-out-heartbreak?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies The draw for January’s ⁠Asian Cup ⁠finals, which was ⁠set be held in Riyadh on April 11, has been postponed, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday. Officials have rescheduled ‌the event to a later date “to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders at the final draw ceremony”, the governing body said in a statement. It added: “Further updates on the new arrangements for the final draw will be communicated in due course.” Numerous sporting events in the ⁠region... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348018/afc-postpones-draw-saudi-arabia-asian-cup-finals-middle-east-conflict-continues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348018/afc-postpones-draw-saudi-arabia-asian-cup-finals-middle-east-conflict-continues?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:00:18 +0000 dpa,Agence France-Presse dpa,Agence France-Presse The remaining six places at this summer’s Fifa World Cup are set to be decided over the next week. As well as 16 European nations battling it out in the play-offs to secure one of four places available, Fifa is also holding a new six-team intercontinental event in Mexico that will determine the other two qualifiers. Here is a look at how the two formats work. What are the European play-offs all about? With the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, expanded... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347997/fifa-world-cup-play-offs-italy-coach-set-biggest-match-iraq-bid-second-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347997/fifa-world-cup-play-offs-italy-coach-set-biggest-match-iraq-bid-second-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The fourth and final ticket sales phase for the 2026 World Cup will open on April 1, Fifa announced on Wednesday, without specifying how many tickets will be made available. The “last-minute” sales phase will then remain open through the end of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, global football’s governing body said in a statement. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and be “released for sale on a rolling basis, including, on occasion, for matches taking... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347942/final-phase-2026-world-cup-ticket-sales-be-sold-first-come-first-served-basis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347942/final-phase-2026-world-cup-ticket-sales-be-sold-first-come-first-served-basis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:20:58 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Iranian club Tractor FC are set to travel to Saudi Arabia for a play-off against Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai for a place in the Asian Champions League Elite quarter-finals against Buriram United of Thailand. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held the draw on Wednesday to determine the quarter-final pairings, a day after announcing that the western zone play-offs that were postponed because of the war in the Middle East had been rescheduled for April 13-14 in Jeddah. The Saudi city is also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347896/asian-champions-league-elite-irans-tractor-fc-line-quarter-final-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347896/asian-champions-league-elite-irans-tractor-fc-line-quarter-final-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:52 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li A storm over online abuse has cast a shadow over Man Kiu Association Primary School’s breakthrough run at the All-Hong Kong Inter-Primary Schools seven-a-side football competition held before Chinese New Year. After racking up several victories over rival schools, especially after a 6-0 win that got them to the quarter-finals, the team received abusive comments and complaints about the physical size and height of their players. Several non-Chinese players, in particular, became targets of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347871/primary-school-football-players-principal-undeterred-online-abuse-during-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347871/primary-school-football-players-principal-undeterred-online-abuse-during-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:50:14 +0000 Reuters Reuters New Zealand’s national footballers have said they would be willing to play against Iran outside the United States in their opening match at the 2026 World Cup, as uncertainty persists over the fixture amid geopolitical tensions. Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the US-Israeli conflict with the ‌Islamic Republic broke out at the end of February. Team Melli are scheduled to play all three of their opening-round group... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347838/fifa-world-cup-new-zealand-players-willing-face-iran-their-opening-match-outside-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347838/fifa-world-cup-new-zealand-players-willing-face-iran-their-opening-match-outside-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group filed a lawsuit on Tuesday with the European Commission against football’s world governing body Fifa over “excessive ticket prices” for this year’s World Cup finals. “Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against Fifa, alleging that the football body has abused its monopoly position to impose excessive ticket prices and opaque and unfair purchasing conditions and processes on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347746/supporters-group-files-lawsuit-against-excessive-fifa-2026-world-cup-ticket-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347746/supporters-group-files-lawsuit-against-excessive-fifa-2026-world-cup-ticket-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:00:15 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Written off in some quarters following his second serious knee injury at the age of 22, and ignored by the last Hong Kong manager, Jordan Lam Lok-kan is back in the international fold and targeting his second cap in India next week. Kitchee left-back Lam, who spent time with English club Bury a decade ago, pressed his selection claims when he lashed home the penalty that sealed the city team’s Chinese New Year Cup shoot-out victory over FC Seoul last month. Having underlined his reputation as a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347721/after-injuries-and-being-ignored-kitchees-jordan-lam-make-most-his-second-chance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347721/after-injuries-and-being-ignored-kitchees-jordan-lam-make-most-his-second-chance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:46:15 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The local football association is navigating the “craziest Fifa window ever” after the eleventh-hour cancellation of Hong Kong’s friendly against Nepal uprooted preparations for next week’s Asian Cup qualifier in India. Having overcome the logistical nightmare of arranging Indian visas for players, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) was given a fresh headache when its Nepalese counterparts scrapped plans for the match on Thursday because of heightening political tensions in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347574/hong-kong-football-bosses-scrambling-flights-india-after-nepal-friendly-cancelled?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347574/hong-kong-football-bosses-scrambling-flights-india-after-nepal-friendly-cancelled?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Coach Nils Nielsen warned on Monday that Japan need “different tools” to win next year’s Women’s World Cup after sweeping to the Asian title with a series of barnstorming performances. Japan beat Women’s Asian Cup hosts Australia 1-0 in Saturday’s final in Sydney to lift the trophy for the third time in four tournaments. Nielsen’s side dazzled along the way, scoring 29 goals and conceding just one to lay down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Japan are the only Asian team to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347558/asian-womens-football-champions-japan-need-different-tools-win-world-cup-coach-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347558/asian-womens-football-champions-japan-need-different-tools-win-world-cup-coach-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:50:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A music entrepreneur and friend to multiple household names is plotting to own and play for Supreme FC in the Hong Kong Premier League next season. Jim Wong Chi-chuen scored his team’s second goal in a 3-1 win over Kwun Tong on Sunday that maintained their five-point advantage over Wofoo Social Enterprises at the First Division summit with five matches remaining. The ambitious 35-year-old has made his promotion pitch to the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), pledging to add... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347490/music-entrepreneur-planning-add-supreme-stardust-hong-kong-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347490/music-entrepreneur-planning-add-supreme-stardust-hong-kong-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:19:02 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Around 80,000 fans were hoping to see Lionel Messi take on Lamine Yamal in Doha, while thousands more were gearing up for the F1 grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but the war in the Middle East had other plans. The Gulf countries have invested vast sums of money in bringing global sporting events to their shores as they try to diversify their hydrocarbon-dependent economies and improve their images abroad. But weeks of repeated drone and missile attacks from Iran, in retaliation against... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347430/gulfs-decades-long-strategy-sporting-investment-rocked-us-israel-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347430/gulfs-decades-long-strategy-sporting-investment-rocked-us-israel-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:16 +0000