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Fifa World Cup 2026

Fifa World Cup 2026
The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 cities, making it the first to be hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994. A total of 32 teams will compete to take the trophy, with the games planned for as-yet-unscheduled dates in the summer months.
England captain Harry Kane (left) celebrates a goal with Bayern Munich teammates Serge Gnabry (centre) and Michael Olise. Photo: dpa
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Bayern, Villa clash one of 3 matches set for feast of football in Hong Kong

Star strikers Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martinez could all be heading to city in August, but only if their countries flop at World Cup.

Fifa

Iran awaiting Fifa response on venue switch before making decision on World Cup

Fifa

Japan remain Asia’s best World Cup hope as fellow qualifiers get mixed results

Fifa

Top ticket price for World Cup final up from US$8,680 to US$10,990 as sales reopen

The global tournament uses dynamic pricing for ticket sales, and its ticketing site often took hours to enter as latest sales phase opened.

US President Donald Trump and Fifa boss Gianni Infantino holding a ticket to the World Cup final at the White House last August. Photo: EPA
Fifa

World Cup’s last qualifier Iraq plot ‘shock’, Japan out to make more history

Iraqis to make first finals appearance in 40 years, while Japanese have set ultimate goal after becoming first Asian team to beat England.

Viktor Gyokeres

Italy fail to qualify for third straight time, while Sweden, Turkey secure places

Bosnia and Czech Republic also make it through, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq in the intercontinental play-offs.

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Fifa

World Cup trophies to take pride of place when Fifa Museum opens in Hong Kong

More than 500,000 visitors expected once the museum, brought in by company that staged Cristiano Ronaldo’s version, starts its run on May 28.

The Fifa World Cup trophy will take its place at the museum in Hong Kong after the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico in June-July. Photo: TNS
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China football team sucker-punched by early goals in wake-up call against Cameroon

Defeat to higher-ranked ‘Indomitable Lions’ in Fifa Series in Melbourne comes four days after win over World Cup-bound Curacao.

Fifa

Fifa World Cup 2026: after travel ordeal, Iraq hope to secure Asia its 9th spot

Iraq coach Graham Arnold shielding players from Mideast war ahead of intercontinental play-off against Bolivia in Mexico on Tuesday.

Fifa

World Cup: Italy hoping to scale Bosnian ‘Everest’, Kosovo on verge of history

Italian coach and fans feel weight of fears about missing out on a third straight World Cup while Kosovars are feeling the excitement.

Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso (black tracksuit) celebrates with players after winning their European qualification semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo last Thursday. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Fifa World Cup risks being ‘stage for repression’, Amnesty International says

Human rights organisation urges football governing body and host nations US, Canada and Mexico to players, fans and communities.

The Fifa World Cup trophy on display at BBVA Stadium during a promotional stop in Monterrey, Mexico earlier this month. Photo: EPA
Fifa

Lower-ranked China give World Cup-bound Curacao wake-up call in Fifa Series match

The smallest nation to ever qualify for the finals were playing first match under a new head coach, while fellow debutants Cabo Verde also lose.

Viktor Gyokeres

World Cup play-offs: Italy stay on track as Wales, Ireland suffer heartbreak

Kosovo on the brink of first appearance at any major tournament, while Bolivia beat Suriname to set up match against Iraq on Tuesday.

Fifa

World Cup play-offs: Italy set for ‘biggest match’, Iraq bid for second finals

Gennaro Gattuso’s side is one of 16 European teams vying for four spots, while a six-team intercontinental event will fill two more places.

Italy’s head coach Gennaro Gattuso, who won the World Cup as a player in 2006, leads a training session at Bergamo Stadium as his team prepare to face Northern Ireland in a European playoff on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Fifa

Final phase of World Cup ticket sales to be sold on first-come, first-served basis

Fifa announced that tickets will be available on April 1 until the end of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 stadiums.

Fifa did not specify how many tickets will be made available for the fourth and final ticket sales phase for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: AP
Fifa

Fifa World Cup: New Zealand willing to face Iran in their opener outside US

Iranians have threatened to boycott matches ⁠in US, and New Zealanders say it is not a ‘big deal’ to play them in Canada or Mexico instead.

Fifa

Supporters’ group files lawsuit against ‘excessive’ 2026 World Cup ticket prices

It says world football body has abused monopoly position, with cheapest tickets for the final costing seven times those of previous event’s.

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Fifa

Italy’s Azzurri face Fifa World Cup play-off again amid other sports’ success

The once-dominant men’s football team, four-time world champions, are at risk of failing to qualify for a third consecutive finals.

Captain Fabio Cannavaro holds up the World Cup trophy after Italy beat France to win the 2006 final at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, their fourth and last world title. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Fifa boss got 33% bonus rise after Club World Cup in US$6 million pay deal

Football’s world body announces details of Gianni Infantino’s salary as part of transparency reforms passed on day he was elected in 2016.

Fifa

Iran ‘boycotting’ United States but not World Cup: football federation chief

Mehdi Taj says his country ‘will be preparing for the World Cup’, with Mexico’s leader saying her country was prepared to host Iran’s matches.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico invites Spain’s king to World Cup in sign of thaw

President Sheinbaum’s invitation came after the monarch acknowledged there had been ‘a lot of abuse’ during Spain’s conquest of the Americas.

In a letter to Spain’s King Felipe (right), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (left) said the World Cup was “a timely opportunity to evoke the depth and unique character of the ties” between their two countries. Photos: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran ‘negotiating’ with Fifa over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy

Country’s participation in this summer’s tournament thrown into doubt by US and Israel attacks and Donald Trump’s threats.

Mexico attempts to set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest football lesson as part of efforts to promote the country ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong Football Club

Only heat can stop ‘top England’ winning World Cup, says Wales boss Bellamy

Craig Bellamy annoyed talks with Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips made public ahead of World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fifa

Iraq, Italy, who could replace Iran at World Cup? Rules say Fifa can pick anyone

Iraq and United Arab Emirates could be part of the solution, but both face travel issues caused by US and Israel’s war in the Middle East.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not compete in US-hosted 2026 World Cup, sports minister says

Ahmad Donyamali says the US and Israeli air strikes mean ‘under no circumstances can we participate⁠’ in event hosted by US, Canada, Mexico.

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Iran’s national team before their Fifa World Cup 2026 Asia zone group A qualifiers against Uzbekistan last March in Tehran that finished 2-2. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Iran football federation chief says World Cup participation in US is in doubt

‘The US regime has attacked our homeland … we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,’ said Mehdi Taj.

videocam
An Iranian flag hangs over a backrest in the stands after the Fifa World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Photo: dpa

VAR expanded, new rules to curb time wasting approved in time for World Cup

Video assistant referee’s role to now include second bookings and corners; countdown for throw-ins, goal kicks brought in to prevent delays.

Claudia Sheinbaum

Fifa boss ‘very reassured’ about World Cup in Mexico despite violence

Host city Guadalajara rocked by attacks, while Portuguese Football Federation casts doubt on team playing friendly on March 29 in Mexico City.

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