https://www.scmp.com/rss/519935/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 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 Luna Sun Luna Sun With less than five months to go before the opening match of the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a wave of World Cup-driven orders is already rippling through China’s manufacturing heartlands. In Yiwu, the eastern Chinese city long known as the world’s largest hub for small commodities, exporters of fan merchandise and sporting accessories are reporting an early surge in overseas orders. World Cup fan merchandise maker and exporter Miji, who declined to give his full... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341497/world-cup-boosts-merch-demand-chinas-small-goods-capital-yiwu-stays-wary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341497/world-cup-boosts-merch-demand-chinas-small-goods-capital-yiwu-stays-wary?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters Bigger does not always mean better but try telling that to those who govern the world’s most popular sport as they reflect on a jam-packed year and begin the countdown to a supersized World Cup that will dwarf previous tournaments. World football’s governing body, Fifa – not to mention continental confederations, national leagues and broadcasters – will argue that the appetite for the “beautiful game” is insatiable and will point to the past 12 months as evidence. Fifa described its expanded... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3337740/year-football-expansion-mismatches-point-direction-fifa-will-take-beautiful-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3337740/year-football-expansion-mismatches-point-direction-fifa-will-take-beautiful-game?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:00:42 +0000 Reuters Reuters Luca Zidane, son ‌of French World Cup-winner Zinedine, said his grandfather had supported him in switching international allegiance to Algeria, ‍after playing for France at junior level. Zinedine Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest French footballers, inspiring his country to their first World Cup victory in 1998 and scoring two goals in the 3-0 win over Brazil in the final in Paris. The midfielder also ⁠guided them to the Euro 2000 trophy, achieving an unprecedented double for Les... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3337733/grandpa-encouraged-me-play-algeria-says-son-french-football-legend-zinedine-zidane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3337733/grandpa-encouraged-me-play-algeria-says-son-french-football-legend-zinedine-zidane?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Argentina and Lionel Messi will play Algeria to open their World Cup title defence as part of a group that also includes Austria. The United States were drawn on Friday to start against Paraguay at Inglewood, California, on June 12, a day after Mexico host the opener against South Africa. The US reached the semi-finals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and have got as far as the quarter-finals only one other time, in 2002. US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3335426/fifa-2026-argentina-open-world-cup-against-algeria-us-starts-against-paraguay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3335426/fifa-2026-argentina-open-world-cup-against-algeria-us-starts-against-paraguay?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:28:33 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump was awarded the new Fifa peace prize on Friday at the 2026 World Cup draw – giving the soccer spectacle to set matchups for the quadrennial tournament even more of a Trumpian flair. Trump, who has openly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, had been heavily favoured to win the newly created Fifa prize. He and Fifa president Gianni Infantino are close allies, and Infantino had made it clear that he thought Trump should have won the Nobel for his efforts to broker a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335424/fifa-gives-trump-its-new-peace-prize-world-cup-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335424/fifa-gives-trump-its-new-peace-prize-world-cup-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:48:32 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea and Japan are mulling a bid to co-host the 2035 men’s Asian Cup, an official said Friday, joining forces again after staging the World Cup in 2002. A Korea Football Association official said that the country’s football chiefs were considering various options and co-hosting with Japan was “one possible strategy”. “At this stage, joint hosting is not impossible,” the official said, noting that plans were still at an early stage and would first have to be approved by both... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3334505/south-korea-japan-considering-not-impossible-joint-bid-2035-mens-football-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3334505/south-korea-japan-considering-not-impossible-joint-bid-2035-mens-football-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:58:36 +0000 Reuters Reuters Crestfallen Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert said his players were “devastated” after their pursuit of a place at next year’s World Cup came to an end on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 loss against Iraq in Jeddah. Graham Arnold’s side claimed the three points through a 76th minute goal by Zidane Iqbal, and the loss, Indonesia’s second in a row after a 3-2 defeat by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, means the country’s hopes have been extinguished. Iraq, however, maintained their dreams of a first World Cup... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328713/world-cup-asian-qualifiers-elimination-really-tough-indonesia-boss-patrick-kluivert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328713/world-cup-asian-qualifiers-elimination-really-tough-indonesia-boss-patrick-kluivert?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:30:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara An influential figure in Chinese football has said that encouraging young players to abandon their societal shackles is critical for progress, as the World Football Summit began on Wednesday in Hong Kong. Staged at AsiaWorld-Expo, the industry powwow has attracted around 4,000 attendees for a series of panel discussions covering topics from the growth of women’s football, through smart stadiums, to the depths and vision of the Chinese football landscape. Speaking on the latter panel, Pere... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3324224/china-football-tipped-come-back-brink-day-1-world-summit-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3324224/china-football-tipped-come-back-brink-day-1-world-summit-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:23:51 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami on Saturday, and football may never be the same. At least that is what Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been telling anyone who would listen. “This tournament will be the start of something historic that will change our sport for the better,” he said this week as part of an exhausting schedule of public engagements to drum up interest in the month-long event staged across 11 cities in the United... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314531/club-world-cup-fifa-presidents-baby-and-running-and-football-may-never-be-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314531/club-world-cup-fifa-presidents-baby-and-running-and-football-may-never-be-same?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Jun 2025 15:08:35 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer A top Chinese football boss has launched a scathing attack on the state of the game in the country, calling the national team a “fourth-rate” side. Song Kai’s damning verdict came after the men’s side lost 7-0 to Japan last September, but was only revealed by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday, in the first episode of the series Dialogue with Chinese Football, titled Disparity. The Chinese Football Association president made the comments when meeting with youth team coaches following the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314034/top-china-football-boss-says-mens-national-team-fourth-rate-and-we-never-learn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314034/top-china-football-boss-says-mens-national-team-fourth-rate-and-we-never-learn?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:00:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in – fresh off European trophy wins – aim to lead South Korea to the World Cup, with four remaining automatic spots from Asia up for grabs. Japan and Iran have already sealed their berths at the tournament next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South Korea are guaranteed to join them on Thursday if they avoid defeat against Iraq in Basra. Even if they lose, they will have another opportunity at home to Kuwait next Tuesday in Group B. South Korea and Spurs... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that all fans from across the globe would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup despite concerns over his border crackdown affecting the tournament. Trump, who has appointed himself chairman of the White House task force for the tournament, said visitors to the United States could expect a “seamless” experience. The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with neighbouring Canada and Mexico. “We can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3309334/world-cup-2026-trump-vows-seamless-travel-foreign-fans-amid-us-border-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3309334/world-cup-2026-trump-vows-seamless-travel-foreign-fans-amid-us-border-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 23:00:56 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong most capped footballer said the city’s 2034 World Cup ambition was doomed to failure unless there was speedy and significant improvement in the local game. In its Vision 2025 plan, released in 2020, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, listed qualification for the tournament in Saudi Arabia as one of its seven strategic goals. Despite undeniable improvement under former boss Jorn Andersen, who led Hong Kong to last year’s AFC Asian Cup finals, they were nowhere near reaching... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308701/hong-kong-great-yapp-hung-fais-warning-over-2034-saudi-arabia-world-cup-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308701/hong-kong-great-yapp-hung-fais-warning-over-2034-saudi-arabia-world-cup-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 May 2025 23:30:08 +0000 As captain and star of the history-making Trinidad and Tobago team that reached the 2006 World Cup finals, Dwight Yorke has the inside track on how a tiny football region can punch above its weight. The Caribbean nation, which has a population of around 1.3 million, is No 100 in the Fifa world rankings. Hong Kong climbed two places to No 153 in the most recent list, but with a population of more than 7 million has got nowhere near a World Cup. The city team’s Asian Cup finals appearance last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3306461/manchester-united-great-dwight-yorke-outlines-how-hong-kong-can-gain-international-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3306461/manchester-united-great-dwight-yorke-outlines-how-hong-kong-can-gain-international-success?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:13 +0000 The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre has become a “sea of red” in preparation for China’s crucial World Cup qualifying match against Australia on Tuesday. More than 67,000 spectators are expected to pile into the stadium and seats in the home end have been adorned with red t-shirts printed with “Let’s go, China” as the country pulls out all the stops to give their side a fighting chance at making only their second appearance at football’s biggest tournament. Before the game kicks off at 7pm, there... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303790/hangzhou-becomes-sea-red-china-fans-brace-decisive-world-cup-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303790/hangzhou-becomes-sea-red-china-fans-brace-decisive-world-cup-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:11:57 +0000 China boss Branko Ivankovic praised his players following their 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, a loss that leaves their chances of reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals in jeopardy. The visitors were level at half-time against one of the biggest sides in the Asian section but a red card for Lin Liangming – for a foul on Hassan Kadesh – changed the course of the match, with Salem Aldawsari scoring the only goal of the game in the 50th minute. Defeat left China bottom of Group C with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303297/fought-bravely-china-boss-praises-players-despite-world-cup-defeat-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303297/fought-bravely-china-boss-praises-players-despite-world-cup-defeat-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:00:07 +0000 China were narrowly beaten 1-0 in their crucial Fifa World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, after Japan became the first side to confirm their place at the 2026 finals. Branko Ivankovic’s side hung in there in the opening 45 minutes and went into the interval level at 0-0 but saw Lin Liangming sent off in first-half stoppage time for dangerous play. And it proved costly as Salem Aldawsari scored the game’s only goal five minutes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303254/chinas-2026-world-cup-hopes-take-hit-saudi-arabia-japan-become-first-team-qualify?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303254/chinas-2026-world-cup-hopes-take-hit-saudi-arabia-japan-become-first-team-qualify?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:17:34 +0000 China’s artificial intelligence chatbot DeepSeek has predicted the country’s national team will fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, ahead of their crucial qualifying match against Saudi Arabia. The men’s national team were bottom of Group C on goal difference before Thursday’s match, but level on points with fourth-placed Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in third spot. The top two teams, currently Japan and Australia, automatically qualify for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303176/china-will-fail-qualify-2026-fifa-world-cup-deepseek-predicts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3303176/china-will-fail-qualify-2026-fifa-world-cup-deepseek-predicts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:00:07 +0000 Sports journalist Sofi Martínez has shut down rumours that she’s having an affair with footballer Lionel Messi. “A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren’t so good and my family suffers a lot. This year, people began to talk more and more about, ‘What’s up with the way he looks at you?’ – things like this – and I was caught in the middle of something that made me feel ridiculous to have to clarify,” she explained on the PH: Podemos Hablar show on Buenos Aires... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3294276/who-sofi-martinez-and-she-secretly-dating-lionel-messi-espn-journalist-has-finally-commented-rumours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3294276/who-sofi-martinez-and-she-secretly-dating-lionel-messi-espn-journalist-has-finally-commented-rumours?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:00:15 +0000 Fifa confirmed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 World Cup, underlining the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport despite criticism of the country’s human rights record. At the same time, a virtual congress of world football’s governing body confirmed that Morocco, Spain and Portugal would be joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup, in which three games would also be played in South America. The Saudi bid was waved through by acclamation during the meeting of Fifa’s 211... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290396/fifa-confirm-saudi-arabia-2034-world-cup-host-2030-edition-be-held-6-countries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290396/fifa-confirm-saudi-arabia-2034-world-cup-host-2030-edition-be-held-6-countries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:29:58 +0000 Saudi Arabia, as the sole bidders to stage the tournament, will be confirmed as the host of the 2034 Fifa World Cup on Wednesday. The policy put forward from football’s governing body of rotating continents to host the tournament every four years meant this was to be the turn of Asia or Oceania. And with Australia and Indonesia having dropped out of the running, it left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate. It will be the second Gulf state to host the tournament, after Qatar’s World Cup in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290203/fifa-2030-world-cup-morocco-finally-gets-chance-play-hosts-spain-and-portugal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290203/fifa-2030-world-cup-morocco-finally-gets-chance-play-hosts-spain-and-portugal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:00:07 +0000 A new Netflix series on Saudi football features packed stadiums and top-flight talent, but whether it can curb criticism of Riyadh’s bid to host World Cup 2034 is an open question. The six-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff debuted just three weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia – the sole candidate – as host of the quadrennial spectacle. The vote on Wednesday will be a crowning moment for de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of sport to amass... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290137/humanising-saudi-football-netflix-series-paves-way-country-hosting-2034-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290137/humanising-saudi-football-netflix-series-paves-way-country-hosting-2034-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:00:08 +0000 The 2030 Fifa World Cup will send dozens of football teams and hordes of fans criss-crossing the globe for matches on three continents, sparking alarm over the environmental cost. An announcement on the 2030 and 2034 World Cups will be made on Wednesday, with expectations of a dramatic expansion of geographic footprint – and with that planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. While Saudi Arabia is the lone candidate for 2034, Morocco, Spain and Portugal have formed a joint bid for the 2030... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290115/fifa-world-cup-2030-global-tournament-3-continents-sparks-concerns-over-climate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290115/fifa-world-cup-2030-global-tournament-3-continents-sparks-concerns-over-climate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:00:10 +0000 Junichi Inamoto has announced his retirement at age 45 on Wednesday, ending a career that saw the midfielder become the first Japanese player to appear in the Premier League. Inamoto joined Arsenal in 2001 but had to wait until moving to Fulham a year later before he made his debut in England’s top flight, where he also played for West Bromwich Albion. He became a national hero when he scored twice at the 2002 World Cup on home soil, including the winner against Russia in Japan’s first-ever... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3289301/junichi-inamoto-first-japanese-play-english-premier-league-retires-aged-45?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3289301/junichi-inamoto-first-japanese-play-english-premier-league-retires-aged-45?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:00:12 +0000 Hong Kong footballer Leung Kwun-chung said the women’s game was poised to overtake the men’s for popularity in the city. Leung, who combines playing for Eastern with managing women’s first division club Citizen, also said the city’s women would beat their male counterparts to Fifa World Cup qualification. A professional in Hong Kong for the past 15 years, the 32-year-old said it was “hard to see a future” for the men’s game, following a decline in standards and interest. The local football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3289082/hong-kong-women-tipped-beat-men-fifa-world-cup-qualification-city-football-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3289082/hong-kong-women-tipped-beat-men-fifa-world-cup-qualification-city-football-star?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Dec 2024 04:30:08 +0000 A Fifa subcommittee report on Qatar’s 2022 World Cup legacy said football’s world governing body has a responsibility to compensate migrant workers but the organisation has not acted on a recommendation to do that by using its legacy fund. The report prepared by the Fifa Subcommittee on Human Rights & Social Responsibility looked into a request made at the Fifa Congress by the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), who asked what steps Fifa might take to compensate workers. Fifa launched a $50... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3288846/fifa-dismisses-own-report-advice-has-not-paid-qatar-world-cup-workers-compensation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3288846/fifa-dismisses-own-report-advice-has-not-paid-qatar-world-cup-workers-compensation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:01:07 +0000 Fifa will give US$50 million to the WHO, WTO and UNHCR as part of its Qatar World Cup legacy fund, football’s global governing body announced on Wednesday. In its 2022 annual financial report, Fifa announced a gross profit of nearly US$5.8 billion from the tournament in Qatar that year, and in November that year had promised the legacy fund from 2022 World Cup proceeds would be used to help “some of the most vulnerable people in the world”. “Fifa is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3288415/fifa-launches-2022-world-cup-legacy-fund-us50m-initiatives-who-wto-unhcr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3288415/fifa-launches-2022-world-cup-legacy-fund-us50m-initiatives-who-wto-unhcr?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:00:09 +0000 The global life ban China wanted to slap on a South Korean footballer it accused of match-fixing has been rejected by Fifa, and a club official said there was “insufficient evidence” to support the punishment. Son Jun-ho, who was detained in China for 10 months “on suspicion of accepting bribes”, was one of 43 people banned from football for life by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in September as part of a corruption crackdown. However, Choi Soon-ho, director of football at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288361/life-ban-cfa-imposed-south-koreas-son-rejected-fifa-club-boss-calls-china-unstable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288361/life-ban-cfa-imposed-south-koreas-son-rejected-fifa-club-boss-calls-china-unstable?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:30:07 +0000 Mainland football fans are praying that the men’s national team lose by only one or two goals in their crucial World Cup qualifying match against Japan on Tuesday evening. Despite fans expecting a loss, international football in China has seen a rare showing of optimism, as the side goes into the game off the back of two wins. Manager Branko Ivankovic has promised fans that his team will give it their all at the Xiamen Egret Stadium and has not ruled out his side upsetting the giants of Asian... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3287180/world-cup-2026-qualifier-realistic-china-fans-pray-minor-loss-worst-against-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3287180/world-cup-2026-qualifier-realistic-china-fans-pray-minor-loss-worst-against-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:03:30 +0000 Diego Forlan relished his foray into another professional sport after losing a doubles match on home soil in Uruguay. The former Manchester United forward was given a wild card to play in the Uruguay Open in Montevideo, a tournament on the Challenger Tour, which sits just below the elite ATP Tour. Forlan and his Argentinian partner Federico Coria, ranked 101, suffered a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in front of a large crowd, but the result was immaterial for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286603/i-felt-tennis-player-former-uruguay-striker-diego-forlan-debuts-new-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286603/i-felt-tennis-player-former-uruguay-striker-diego-forlan-debuts-new-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:00:10 +0000 Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to continue playing professional football next season, despite turning 58. The player known to fans as “King Kazu” – or simply Kazu – is several generations older than his teammates, while his contemporaries retired decades ago. By comparison, Lionel Messi is 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 39 – mere youngsters compared to Miura. Miura will turn 58 in February, and the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported this week that he intends to play next season for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286198/japanese-football-legend-kazuyoshi-miura-says-he-will-still-play-next-season-age-58?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286198/japanese-football-legend-kazuyoshi-miura-says-he-will-still-play-next-season-age-58?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:00:07 +0000 China take on Indonesia on Tuesday knowing defeat will all but end their hopes of reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup, and leave boss Branko Ivankovic facing renewed calls for his head. A 7-0 hammering at the hands of Japan in the first game of their qualifying campaign was followed by a 2-1 loss at home to the 10 men of Saudi Arabia, and a 3-1 defeat in Australia, after leading 1-0, last Thursday. The losing streak leaves a pointless China rock bottom of Group C with a goal difference of minus 10.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282288/fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-china-aiming-revive-campaign-against-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282288/fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-china-aiming-revive-campaign-against-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:58:57 +0000 Australia came from behind to beat China 3-1 on Thursday and resurrect their men’s Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, ensuring Tony Popovic’s reign as coach got off to a winning start. The Socceroos went into the game at Adelaide Oval after a shock 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and a scoreless draw in Indonesia last month left them in a perilous position in Asian Group C. It led to the departure of coach Graham Arnold and Popovic being installed as his successor. Goals from Lewis Miller, Craig... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3281909/fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifying-china-take-shock-lead-lose-again-revived-australia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3281909/fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifying-china-take-shock-lead-lose-again-revived-australia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:44:20 +0000 With the men’s national team suffering consecutive defeats in its 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, it seems like the only way for Chinese football is up. Losing 7-0 away to Japan was particularly hard to swallow, especially given the geopolitical tensions between the two countries, and losing 2-1 at home to 10-man Saudi Arabia only made things worse. It is clear China’s success in individual Olympic sports has not translated into better results in the world’s most popular team sports,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3278941/how-china-could-benefit-adopting-us-college-sports-model?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3278941/how-china-could-benefit-adopting-us-college-sports-model?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Sep 2024 21:30:07 +0000 When artist Robin Rhode needed a canvas for his latest work, he found it at an abandoned sports ground in his dysfunctional hometown, Johannesburg, South Africa. Beneath the waist-high grass, broken bottles and occasional bullet casing, he uncovered a decades-old miniature golf course, indoor football fields and a tennis training wall. And that is where he started drawing. The 48-year-old grew up not far from the sports ground but 20 years ago moved to Berlin, Germany, as his career took off... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3278733/south-african-artist-using-johannesburg-rough-decayed-canvas-send-message?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3278733/south-african-artist-using-johannesburg-rough-decayed-canvas-send-message?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Sep 2024 09:15:09 +0000 Saudi Arabia wants to encourage Hong Kong businesses to invest in a province positioned to be a premier tourist destination, an official from the kingdom has said, stressing the financial hub can bring expertise and knowledge to the region. During his four-day trip to Hong Kong, Sultan Alshehri, chief of investment for the Aseer Region Development Authority, told the Post that “a couple” of businesses he met had expressed interest in investing in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3278605/saudi-arabia-seeks-attract-hong-kong-investments-new-year-round-tourist-spot-aseer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3278605/saudi-arabia-seeks-attract-hong-kong-investments-new-year-round-tourist-spot-aseer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Sep 2024 09:58:57 +0000 Chinese football fans are getting their excuses in early before their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with blame being placed on the rain before the downpours even begin. A hashtag announcing that China’s Group C game against Saudi Arabia at the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium could be played in the rain has been trending on Weibo, with football fans debating whether the shower would benefit the national side. Despite China, ranked 87th in the world, having home... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3277752/chinese-fans-get-excuses-early-social-media-pending-world-cup-loss-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3277752/chinese-fans-get-excuses-early-social-media-pending-world-cup-loss-saudi-arabia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:56:36 +0000 Hong Kong’s success in the Olympics has sparked much debate about further developing elite sport in the city. One sport in need of a boost is football. The local premier league season kicked off last weekend, amid growing concerns about the future of the game in the city. A new head coach for the Hong Kong men’s team has followed the disappointing departure of fan favourite Jorn Andersen, who exceeded expectations with an exciting brand of football. His successor, Ashley Westwood, a former... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3277568/struggling-hong-kong-football-faces-game-its-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3277568/struggling-hong-kong-football-faces-game-its-life?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Sep 2024 22:30:08 +0000 It is a bit of a fudge to describe ESPN’s umbrella brand for sports documentaries, 30 for 30, as a podcast. The brand’s films, celebrated for their use of sports to ask bigger questions about life and societal issues, have aired on US TV since 2009 and are frequently referenced in pop culture, including a parody episode of The Simpsons, “22 for 30.” The podcast spin-off, launched in 2017, tells new original stories designed specifically for audio but includes bonus interviews and anniversary... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3274157/best-sports-podcast-ever-espns-30-30-all-about-deep-dives-bruce-lee-oj-simpson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3274157/best-sports-podcast-ever-espns-30-30-all-about-deep-dives-bruce-lee-oj-simpson?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Aug 2024 22:45:07 +0000 Spain’s 2-1 deserved win over England in the final of the men’s 2024 Uefa European Football Championship on Sunday leaves many people wondering: what now for manager Gareth Southgate? This is the second final loss in a row for England, which had been beaten on penalties by Italy in the 2020 Euros (hosted in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions). In between, at the 2022 Fifa World Cup, England went out in the quarter-final stage, and in the 2018 World Cup, Southgate led his team to the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270490/meet-gareth-southgate-england-national-team-manager-whos-sparking-retirement-rumours-after-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270490/meet-gareth-southgate-england-national-team-manager-whos-sparking-retirement-rumours-after-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:14 +0000 France is facing a bill of almost €9 billion for hosting the Paris Olympics but top officials said the financial fallout could be more “psychological” than economic. Ahead of the July 26 opening of the Games, ministers and financial observers are juggling the figures to estimate the costs and benefits of the sporting spectacle. So far, French authorities are predicting a cost of almost €9bn (HK$75bn) for the Paris Games, although the official figure will take time to confirm. Costs are always... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3268447/paris-olympics-france-makes-eu9bn-gamble-cost-be-less-tokyo-london-even-athens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3268447/paris-olympics-france-makes-eu9bn-gamble-cost-be-less-tokyo-london-even-athens?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Jun 2024 18:00:10 +0000 Hong Kong police will ramp up security measures for the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on Monday, deploying more than 4,000 officers and guarding against seditious or disruptive activities, the Post has learned. Sources familiar with police operations said the numbers were similar to last year, as top leaders from mainland China were not scheduled to visit and no fireworks show would be held to mark the July 1 celebrations. The insiders warned that anyone seen wearing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3268340/hong-kong-police-will-deploy-4000-officers-july-1-amid-warning-over-seditious-acts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3268340/hong-kong-police-will-deploy-4000-officers-july-1-amid-warning-over-seditious-acts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:36:30 +0000 Fifa World Cup winners Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina and Angel Correa are set to be among the Atletico Madrid stars who take on Kitchee in Hong Kong this summer. The La Liga team will play the local side at Hong Kong Stadium on August 7, as part of a preseason tour of Asia. Ken Ng Kin, owner of the Hong Kong Premier League outfit, said the contract terms stipulated Atletico’s star names would play in Hong Kong, barring injuries, transfers, personal matters or international... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3268338/no-messi-repeat-say-organisers-ticket-price-set-atletico-madrid-match-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3268338/no-messi-repeat-say-organisers-ticket-price-set-atletico-madrid-match-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:09:04 +0000 China have been handed a massively difficult task of qualifying for their second World Cup finals appearance after being drawn against heavyweights Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia in the third round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Not surprisingly, the hashtag “National football, group of death” shot to the top of Weibo’s trending list after the draw, attracting more than 10 million views. Many users of the social media site did not fancy China’s chances of progressing from the pool,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3268295/world-cup-2026-china-drawn-japan-australia-saudi-arabia-next-qualifying-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3268295/world-cup-2026-china-drawn-japan-australia-saudi-arabia-next-qualifying-round?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:46:12 +0000 Saudi Arabia’s ambitions of becoming a leading global tourist destination and regional business hub have fuelled expectations that the kingdom may gradually relax its ban on alcohol. The government tested the waters by allowing the opening of a liquor store in the al-Sarafat diplomatic quarter of Riyadh in February for non-Muslim embassy staff. Next could be the Red Sea island resorts being built under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme, where analysts say hotels and... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3267605/saudi-arabia-tipped-ease-alcohol-ban-it-uncorks-tourism-potential?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3267605/saudi-arabia-tipped-ease-alcohol-ban-it-uncorks-tourism-potential?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:14 +0000 Mainland Chinese football experts have suggested China stick with their defensive and counter-attacking approach if they are to stand a chance of avoiding elimination in the next round of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. Despite losing 1-0 to South Korea in Seoul last Tuesday, China scraped into the third round of the Asian qualifiers after Thailand failed to beat Singapore by the required three-goal margin in Bangkok later that night. Level on every metric with Thailand after six group matches,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3266893/how-china-can-reach-2026-fifa-world-cup-according-football-commentator-zhan-jun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3266893/how-china-can-reach-2026-fifa-world-cup-according-football-commentator-zhan-jun?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:30:19 +0000 Two weeks after China and Bahrain agreed to form a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), analysts remain baffled by Beijing’s decision to offer its strongest form of diplomatic alliance to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, with some saying the pact is aimed at undermining US interests in the region. Beijing’s selection of Bahrain, roughly two-thirds the size of Hong Kong and the smallest oil producer in the hydrocarbons-rich Gulf, has confounded leading experts on China’s role in the Middle... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3266694/are-us-interests-real-target-chinas-puzzling-new-partnership-bahrain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3266694/are-us-interests-real-target-chinas-puzzling-new-partnership-bahrain?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Jun 2024 10:00:17 +0000