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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

Stefan Effenberg hoists the Champions League trophy following Bayern Munich’s victory over Valencia in the 2001 final. Photo: Reuters

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

World Cup in USA backed by Germany legend despite mixed memories of 1994 finals

Stefan Effenberg trusts US and co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, to host fine tournament, challenges Thomas Tuchel to solve England riddle.

27 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Fifa

4 tickets to World Cup final listed on Fifa’s resale site for US$2 million each

24 Apr 2026 - 11:18PM

Hong Kong Football Festival

Italy are too big a football nation to keep missing World Cups, says Vieri

24 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

Fifa

US says Iran welcome at World Cup, distances itself from envoy’s Italy proposal

Secretary of State denies that Washington had asked Iranian team not to come, but warns that some members of delegation may not be welcome.

24 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

Fifa

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s idea they should replace Iran at World Cup

Italian minister says such a move is ‘shameful’ while media says envoy Paolo Zampolli made same suggestion four years ago ahead ⁠of Qatar.

23 Apr 2026 - 11:14PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in World Cup, report says

The plan is an attempt to mend ties with Italian PM Meloni, after she and Trump fell out over his attacks against Pope Leo.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:09AM

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.

1 Apr 2026 - 12:28PM

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.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

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.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:00PM

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

‘Success’ of Club World Cup, bigger World Cup go hand in hand with more money, technology coming in, but player welfare is an issue.

26 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

Fifa described its expanded 32-team Club World Cup, won by English club Chelsea, as a “roaring success”. Photo: AP

Algeria

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

Luca Zidane plays as goalkeeper to avoid direct comparisons with his World Cup-winning father, and switched national allegiance at age 27.

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

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

US President Donald Trump is awarded the Fifa Peace Prize in Washington on Friday. Photo: AP

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

Brazil’s Rivaldo (left) and Ronaldo celebrate after beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan. Photo: AFP

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

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

Players walk onto the pitch before the opening match of the Club World Cup between Inter Miami of the US and Al Ahly of Egypt in Miami on Saturday. 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.

11 Jun 2025 - 8:00PM

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

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

US President Donald Trump holds a meeting of the Fifa Task Force at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

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

Yapp Hung-fai in action for Hong Kong against Iran at last year’s AFC Asian Cup finals. Photo: Getty

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

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

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

China’s fans cheer on their side ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifying match with Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP

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

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

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