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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.
Football’s global governing body said in a statement that it had created a limited number of “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets fixed at US$60 for all 104 matches. Photo: dpa
Fifa

Fifa unveils limited number of US$60 World Cup tickets after global backlash

Supporter group says ‘revisions do not go far enough’ and exposes flaws in how prices for the tournament had been set.

Donald Trump

Fifa’s neutrality ‘broken’ after Trump role at World Cup draw: German politician

Lionel Messi

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

Carlo Ancelotti

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

Gilberto Silva, who has worked as a technical adviser for game’s governing body, ‘wants to be positive’ about 48-team tournament.

Gilberto Silva during his visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li
Donald Trump

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

The three nations are preparing for a review of their trade pact amid rising US tariffs and threats by Washington to withdraw from the USMCA.

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.

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

South Korea captain Son Heung-min is on the brink of breaking the country’s all-time appearance record. Photo: EPA
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.

Oman coach Carlos Queiroz is trying to book his fifth World Cup appearance after featuring three times with Iran and once with his native Portugal. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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.

Fans of Greek club PAOK protesting against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv during a Europa League match on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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.

President Donald Trump (left) and Fifa president Gianni Infantino hold a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the Oval Office. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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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.

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

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.

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.

Uzbekistan’s players celebrate after their match against the United Arab Emirates ended in a draw, qualifying them for their first World Cup finals. Photo: AFP
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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China full-back Hu Hetao (centre, rear) is consoled after defeat to Indonesia ended their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup finals. Photo: Xinhua
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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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.

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.

Son Heung-min holds the Europa League trophy as Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate their triumph with their supporters. Photo: Reuters
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.

Chinese winger Wu Lei has scored 36 goals in 99 appearances for his country. 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.

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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.

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