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Fifa World Cup

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Fifa World Cup. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

2026

Fifa World Cup 2026

2022

Fifa World Cup 2022

2018

Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa President Gianni Infantino holds a football next to the Fifa World Cup trophy as he attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: Reuters

China manufacturing

As World Cup boosts merch demand, China’s small-goods capital Yiwu stays wary

China sees a spike in orders from across the globe for footy-themed flags, scarves and wristbands but overall economic outlook is still weak.

28 Jan 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Fifa

Year in football: growth, mismatches point to direction ‘beautiful game’ will take

26 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

Algeria

Grandfather encouraged me to play for Algeria, says son of French legend Zidane

25 Dec 2025 - 11:00PM

Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw repeats past as France face Senegal, England play Croatia

Argentina drawn to start against Algeria after a show that lasts almost as long as a football match.

6 Dec 2025 - 11:24AM

Shaquille O’Neal acts as a draw assistant during the Fifa World Cup 2026 draw in Washington on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Fifa gives Trump its new peace prize at World Cup draw

The US president, who has campaigned for but not received a Nobel Peace Prize, says he doesn’t need awards, just wants to ‘save lives’.

6 Dec 2025 - 3:57AM

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

South Korea, Japan considering joint bid for 2035 men’s football Asian Cup

Official says plans are at early stage and would first have to be approved by governments of both nations, which co-hosted 2022 World Cup.

28 Nov 2025 - 4:21PM

Fifa

World Cup qualifiers: Indonesia coach Kluivert says elimination ‘really tough’

Loss to Iraq means team’s quest to qualify for the finals for the first time since the country gained independence in 1949 is over.

12 Oct 2025 - 9:30PM

Indonesia’s Kevin Diks (right) and Thom Haye after their 1-0 loss to Iraq in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

World Football Summit: game in China tipped to come back from brink

Pere Garcia, the Henan FC sporting director, expects China to end World Cup pain by 2034, optimistic over players earning European deals.

3 Sep 2025 - 9:26PM

Fifa

Club World Cup: Fifa head’s baby up and running – football may never be the same

Gianni Infantino says event, which opened with draw between Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al-Ahly, ‘will change our sport for the better’.

15 Jun 2025 - 11:08PM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China football boss says men’s national team is ‘fourth rate and we never learn’

Chinese Football Association president Song Kai delivers withering attack on state of game during interview with state media.

11 Jun 2025 - 8:00PM

Chinese Football Association president Song Kai has not minced his words over the state of the men’s national team. Photo: Getty Images

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup: South Korea near qualification as Uzbekistan chase history

Draws against Iraq and the UAE will be enough for South Korea and Uzbekistan, respectively, to reach the 2026 edition.

3 Jun 2025 - 8:00PM

After winning the Europa League with Tottenham Son Heung-min is aiming to lead South Korea to World Cup qualification. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump vows ‘seamless’ travel for foreign World Cup fans amid US border fears

There are concerns that the tournament could be affected by US president’s immigration policies and tensions with co-hosts Canada and Mexico.

7 May 2025 - 7:00AM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong great Yapp Hung-fai’s warning over 2034 World Cup target

City’s most capped international says domestic game nowhere near good enough to support ambitions of local football bosses.

2 May 2025 - 3:21PM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Manchester United great Yorke reveals how Hong Kong can make international gains

Former striker head coach of home nation Trinidad and Tobago, which has 1.3m population but qualified for 2006 World Cup.

15 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Former Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke, visiting TWGHs Tsoi Wing Sing Primary School. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Hangzhou becomes sea of red as China fans brace for decisive World Cup qualifier

China must beat Australia on Tuesday to have any chance of securing automatic qualification to 2026 tournament.

25 Mar 2025 - 4:11PM

China coach Branko Ivankovic speaks to the press ahead of his side’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia in Hangzhou. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa

‘Fought bravely’: China boss praises players despite defeat by Saudi Arabia

China had Lin Liangming sent off just before the interval with the teams level, but conceded the winning goal just after the break.

21 Mar 2025 - 6:33PM

Fifa

China’s World Cup hopes take hit in Saudi Arabia after Japan first to qualify

A spirited defeat in Riyadh leaves Branko Ivankovic’s side bottom of Group C, but level with fourth-placed Indonesia.

21 Mar 2025 - 3:34PM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China will fail to qualify for 2026 Fifa World Cup, DeepSeek predicts

The team, who are bottom of their group and face Saudi Arabia, have only a 2.6 per cent chance of finishing in the top two, it says.

20 Mar 2025 - 10:00PM

Deepseek estimates there to be a 70.7 per cent chance that China will finish in the bottom two of Group C, thereby missing out again on a World Cup. Photo: Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Who is Sofi Martínez – and is she secretly dating footballer Lionel Messi?

Argentine sports journalist Sofi Martínez has decided to speak publicly about the rumour there’s something between her and footballer Lionel Messi – so what did she say and who is she exactly?

11 Jan 2025 - 4:00AM

Fifa

Saudi Arabia will host 2034 Fifa World Cup, with 2030 edition across 6 countries

Decision underlines the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport, despite concerns over its human rights record.

12 Dec 2024 - 3:04AMvideocam

Fifa

Fifa to name Saudi Arabia as World Cup 2034 hosts, with 2030 held in 6 countries

Fifa is set to formally ratify the decision on Wednesday, as they are the sole remaining bidder.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:24PMvideocam

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing a World Cup 2030 T-shirt, applauds fans during the warmup before a Uefa Nations League match between Portugal and Poland last month. Photo: AP

Fifa

‘Humanising Saudi football’: Netflix show paves way for country to host World Cup

The 6-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff made its debut just 3 weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia as hosts.

10 Dec 2024 - 8:08PM

Amnesty International activists dressed as football referees holding red cards and a banner protesting against Saudi Arabia’s candidacy for the 2034 World Cup, in Zeist, Netherlands last month. Photo: AFP

Fifa

Football’s footprint: a World Cup on 3 continents sparks concerns over climate

A joint bid from Europe, Africa, South America worries environmentalists, who say football’s governing body has a ‘moral responsibility’.

10 Dec 2024 - 3:00PM

English Premier League

Junichi Inamoto, Japan’s first English Premier League player, retires aged 45

The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2001 but made his EPL debut a year later with Fulham after becoming a national hero at the 2002 World Cup.

4 Dec 2024 - 5:00PM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong women can beat men to Fifa World Cup spot, says football star

Leung Kwun-chung reveals truth behind controversial Asian Cup fall-out, defends brother for missing Hong Kong call amid passport issue.

3 Dec 2024 - 2:59PM

Citizen forward Ho Mui-mei battles for possession during Hong Kong’s victory over Indonesia in July. Photo: Edmond So

Fifa

Fifa dismisses own report advice to pay Qatar World Cup workers’ compensation

Fifa was criticised by Amnesty International for not doing anything for families of migrant workers who died or were exploited.

1 Dec 2024 - 8:01AM

Fifa

Fifa launches 2022 World Cup legacy fund for initiatives with WHO, WTO, UNHCR

Football’s world governing body had announced after the Qatar event it would use its proceeds to help the world’s ‘most vulnerable people’.

28 Nov 2024 - 3:00AM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Fifa rejects CFA life ban on South Korea’s Son, club boss calls China ‘unstable’

Son Jun-ho was detained in China for 10 months ‘on suspicion of accepting bribes’ and was one of 43 people banned.

27 Nov 2024 - 6:30PM

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