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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.
Japan, Asia’s No 1 team, beat Scotland and England away in their two friendlies. Photo: Kyodo
Fifa

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

Hajime Moriyasu’s men look most likely to make impact among continent’s nine teams heading to North America after noteworthy wins in Europe.

Fifa

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

Fifa

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

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.

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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.

The Iraq team, seen here training for their match against Bolivia on Tuesday, arrived in Monterrey on March 21 after a 25-hour journey. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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.

Curacao’s Tahiti Chong (centre) is tackled by Wang Yudong of China in their Fifa Series match at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Friday. Photo: EPA
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.

Moise Kean celebrates his goal for Italy as they beat Northern Ireland 2-0 to set up a meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Photo :Xinhua
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.

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

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 says it is in contact with ‌the Iranian football federation over Iran’s participation in the World Cup. Photo: dpa
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.

The Football Supporters Europe says Fifa has used its monopoly power “to impose conditions on fans that would never be acceptable in a competitive market”. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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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Iran were drawn to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle, during the Fifa World Cup 2026 draw in December. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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.

Wales boss Craig Bellamy has back England to win the World Cup and said he was not interested in taking the Celtic job. Photo: Nora Tam
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.

Iran have said they will not take part in this summer’s Fifa World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. Photo: Reuters
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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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

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.

The International Football Association Board signed off on three changes to the VAR (video assistant referee) protocol on Saturday. Photo: AFP
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.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino made the comments while visiting the Colombian city of Barranquilla. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Fifa boss sorry for offending British football fans, defends Trump peace prize

Gianni Infantino, who awarded Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize, had said the Qatar World Cup was special because ‘no Brit was arrested’.

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.

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