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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.
Fans throw chairs after Lionel Messi departs from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Lionel Messi

Another Lionel Messi farce as angry Indian fans riot, vandalise stadium

Video shows fans, who had paid ‘a month’s salary’ to see touring Argentine superstar, throwing ripped-up seats, other objects onto field.

Carlo Ancelotti

Silva defends Fifa World Cup expansion, fears Brazil aren’t good enough to win

Donald Trump

Trump talks trade with Canada, Mexico leaders at World Cup draw

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.

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’.

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Donald Trump

Trump and Sheinbaum to meet for first time at Fifa World Cup draw in Washington

The Mexican president, along with Canada’s PM Mark Carney, is expected to discuss trade tariffs with Trump at the football tournament draw.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | National Games underscored ties that bind Hongkongers with rest of China

Through tears and celebrations, the Games highlighted the importance of connectivity and the shared spirit among China’s peoples and regions.

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From the left, Hong Kong’s Ceci Lee Sze-wing, Guangdong’s Wang Xinyu and Macau’s Kuok Kin Hang celebrate at the closing ceremony of China’s 15th National Games, in Shenzhen on November 21. Photo: Xinhua
Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min set to make South Korean history in glamour Brazil friendly

Ex-Tottenham skipper is tied with manager Hong Myung-bo and ex-striker Cha Bum-kun on 136 international appearances.

Fifa

World Cup Asian qualifiers: players back Queiroz to lead Oman to first finals

Omanis to tackle latest round under former Real Madrid manager; ex-China coach Fabio Cannavaro will take Uzbekistan to next year’s event.

Fifa

3 years after stadium disaster, Indonesia 2 wins away from return to World Cup

Southeast Asian nation among six vying next week for two Asian spots remaining in 2026 global event co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico.

Indonesia ended China’s World Cup hopes after beating them 1-0 in an Asian Qualifiers Group C match in Jakarta in June. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Fifa’s ban on Malaysian players fuels rival interference claims

Fans are questioning Fifa’s reversal of eligibility approval for seven naturalised players, suspecting complaints from Indonesia or Vietnam.

Malaysia’s players pose before the start of an AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Vietnam on June 10 in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Uefa

Uefa moves towards vote to suspend Israel from European football over Gaza war

Majority of 20-member executive committee are expected to support banning Israeli teams from international play.

Fifa

Fans face World Cup rip-off as Fifa says ticket sales subject to ‘dynamic pricing’

Game’s governing body implements controversial pricing scheme, raises cost of final ticket to US$6,730 compared to US$1,607 at 2022 edition.

Son Heung-min

South Korea select first mixed-heritage men’s player for pre-World Cup friendlies

Jens Castrop, who played for birthplace Germany at youth level, joins Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in in a 22-man squad for games against Mexico, US.

Midfielder Jens Castrop made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday as a substitute. Photo: Getty Images
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Chinese football bosses finally confirm Ivankovic sacked after World Cup failure

China’s defeat to Indonesia this month ended any hope the national team had of reaching the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US.

Branko Ivankovic leaves a press conference after the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on June 10, his last game in charge. Photo: Xinhua
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.

Uefa

Ronaldo set to stay at Saudi club Al-Nassr as another World Cup looms closer

The 40-year-old reportedly ends talk about his club future after playing ‘decisive role’ in his Portugal team winning another title.

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Fifa

Australians wary of Saudi ‘games’ as pair fight for last automatic World Cup spot

Saudi Arabia must win their head-to-head match on Tuesday by five clear goals to qualify, while Palestine, Oman meet for second-chance spot.

Australia’s Aziz Behich (16) scores the only goal in the match against Japan on Thursday, all but ensuring their spot at the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Kyodo
Fifa

Uzbekistan, Jordan savour taste of success after making World Cup for first time

While Uzbeks and Jordanians make history on Thursday, also booking their place are perennial participants South Korea.

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China fans savage football team after World Cup failure, say it should be axed

Fans say side ‘a waste of national resources’ and wonder if money might be better spent on ‘more aircraft carriers’.

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Fifa

China seek perfection in do-or-die World Cup qualifier clash against Indonesia

Only victory will do for a Chinese side in danger of failing to qualify for global tournament for only second time in their history.

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China’s Zhang Yuning, who could be paired with young striker Wang Yudong against Indonesia, said the team are preparing “like normal”. Photo: AFP
Fifa World Cup

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.

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

South Korea to take it easy with Tottenham’s Son in World Cup qualifiers

Hong Myung-bo’s side, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before welcoming Kuwait five days later.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Winger Wu Lei returns to China squad for crunch Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifiers

The 33-year-old former Espanyol winger hopes to bring a cutting edge to Branko Ivankovic’s squad, who need to win their next two matches.

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.

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US President Donald Trump holds a meeting of the Fifa Task Force at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

San Jose’s Leroux eyes US World Cup spot, but has thought about playing for China

American midfielder, whose mother is Chinese, says he has wondered where his international loyalties might lie.

Beau Leroux fends off Real Salt Lake and United States midfielder Diego Luna during their MLS match in February. Photo: Handout
Fifa

‘We’re aiming to win it’: dominant Japan set ambitious target for 2026 World Cup

Hajime Moriyasu’s side, the first team to qualify for North America, believe they are good enough to become the maiden Asian world champions.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

AFC Asian Cup: Hong Kong’s record-winning run over after drab draw with Singapore

Matt Orr clatters bar with visitors’ best attempt, as Ashley Westwood’s team settle for scoreless stalemate at Singapore National Stadium.

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