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Fifa World Cup 2026

Argentina players celebrate during their Copa America semi-final victory over Canada in New Jersey. Photo: DPA

Argentina use Kendrick Lamar diss track to hit back at Drake over Copa America bet

Drake posted an image on Instagram that showed his bet would have given him a US$2.88 million payout if Canada won, but goals from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi moved Argentina into the final.

Drake posted image on Instagram that showed a bet would have given him a US$2.88 million payout if Canada won

10 Jul 2024 - 4:33PM

South Korea World Cup hero Hong back for second spell in charge of national team

7 Jul 2024 - 3:53PM

Underdogs China will not be bullied by World Cup rivals, vows coach

29 Jun 2024 - 12:00PM

Analyst Zhan urges China to use Georgia as role model in Asian ‘Group of Death’

While Chinese fans say the team should ‘know their place’, the veteran football analyst says China should take hope from the Euro 2024 outsiders and devise similar tactics.

28 Jun 2024 - 9:00PM

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (centre) scores Georgia’s first goal in their 2-0 upset of Portugal at Euro 2024 - a feat a football expert feels China can emulate against Asia’s best. Photo: Xinhua

China in World Cup qualifier ‘group of death’ with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia

The 18 remaining Asian teams fighting for eight direct qualification spots at 2026 tournament are drawn in three third-round groups of six.

27 Jun 2024 - 10:03PM

Indian FA accuses sacked coach Stimac of using astrologer to select players

Ex-Croatia defender would not be the first manager to face accusations of allowing his beliefs to influence his team selection.

26 Jun 2024 - 1:31AM

‘Heroic’ Singapore goalkeeper appeals to China fans to stop sending him money

Hassan’s food stall has been deluged with customers and QR payments since his thwarting of Thailand helped China into the next round of the World Cup.

14 Jun 2024 - 9:49PMvideocam

A Chinese football fan in front of Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny’s food stall in Singapore on Friday. Photo: AP

China’s ‘super apps’, visa-free travel help send love to Singapore goalie

A Muslim food stall owned by footballer Hassan Sunny has been inundated with gracious Chinese fans who also took advantage of a new visa-free-travel policy with Singapore.

14 Jun 2024 - 10:15AMvideocam

Hong Kong football chiefs under pressure to preserve Andersen legacy

Hong Kong could have a new boss at the helm for pair of September friendlies as they build towards Asian Cup qualifiers next year.

12 Jun 2024 - 5:30PM

China social media lauds Singapore’s Thai heroics, holiday searches to island soar

Thailand’s failure to beat Singapore by three goals allowed China to sneak through to next round of the 2026 qualifiers on head-to-head results despite losing 1-0 to South Korea.

14 Jun 2024 - 9:39AMvideocam

Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny has been praised for his heroic performance against Thailand by Chinese football fans. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong make their point after 19-hour trek to World Cup tie in Turkmenistan

Stand-in coach Wolfgang Luisser puts onus on attack in final qualifying match, but team record a defensive landmark in Ashgabat.

12 Jun 2024 - 2:15AM

Hong Kong (red), pictured in last year’s home clash with Turkmenistan, endured a lengthy journey for the return match. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong coach aims blast over training facilities ahead of World Cup qualifier

Hong Kong players dealing with scorching heat and inadequate training facilities before bid for team’s first World Cup away win since November 2015.

11 Jun 2024 - 8:00AM

China take on South Korea with only 5 spots up for grabs in World Cup Asian zone

If China lose in Seoul, they could lose second spot in Group C to Thailand, who host Singapore; India, Indonesia among teams in hunt.

10 Jun 2024 - 6:23PM

Hong Kong players and coaches forced to miss Fifa World Cup tie over visa issues

City’s team head to Turkmenistan two players short and with two key staff members missing because visas were not approved in time.

8 Jun 2024 - 9:16PM

Oliver Gerbig (left) cannot be replaced in the Hong Kong squad because of visa complications. Photo: Xinhua

China face must-not-lose clash in South Korea to keep Fifa World Cup hopes alive

At least a draw needed for China but already-qualified South Korea must win to prevent Australia displacing them as one of the seeds.

7 Jun 2024 - 7:52PM

China needed a late equaliser from Behram Abduweli (left of Thai goalkeeper Saranon Anuin) to salvage a 1-1 draw with Thailand. Photo: Xinhua

Palestine make history, reach third round of World Cup qualifiers for first time

A draw with Lebanon is enough for them to progress, while India icon Sunil Chhetri says goodbye in his 151st appearance for his country.

7 Jun 2024 - 2:36PM

Trio bailed after arrest at Hong Kong football game for insulting national anthem

Officers spotted three fans disrespecting anthem by either turning backs to field or not standing while tune was playing, police say.

7 Jun 2024 - 3:39PM

Hong Kong talent hailed after coach’s job audition – but why was VAR not used?

Debutants impress interim boss Wolfgang Luisser in Fifa World Cup qualifier against Iran, while reason for VAR controversy is revealed.

7 Jun 2024 - 5:22PM

Hong Kong’s Philip Chan Siu-kwan appeals to the referee on a night when officialdom did not favour the hosts. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong fume at disputed penalty but debut strikes lift mood in loss to Iran

Soft spot-kick turns tide for Iran in Fifa World Cup qualifier, but Hong Kong show guts with new boys Timmy Ma and Anthony Pinto on target.

7 Jun 2024 - 4:04AM

Hong Kong to get creative after boss’ exit as Iran visit for Fifa World Cup game

Stand-in coach Wolfgang Luisser vows to tweak formula that worked under Jorn Andersen in qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan.

6 Jun 2024 - 7:30AM

Pereira happy to risk future to ‘fight for Hong Kong’ in World Cup qualifiers

Forward willing to play uninsured if needed against Iran and Turkmenistan after release by his club Southern left him without cover.

5 Jun 2024 - 8:52PM

Stefan Pereira (centre) celebrates after scoring for Southern, who released him at the end of the season. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Ranieri retires from club management, Giroud to end France career after Euros

Former Leicester City boss will still be open to international roles, while Giroud will finish his Les Bleus career after Germany.

24 May 2024 - 6:30PM

Ranieri, who has just helped Cagliari clinch survival in Serie A, is best known for managing Leicester to the most unlikely of English Premier League titles. Photo: EPA

South Korea’s failed hunt for axed Klinsmann’s successor highlights deeper issues

The national team look set for the next qualifying stage for the 2026 World Cup, but the U23s failed to make the Olympics and there is discontent with the FA boss.

23 May 2024 - 5:00PM

Indonesia, Asian football’s sleeping tiger, ready to roar as team hit new heights

Breakthroughs at the Asian Cup, Olympic qualifiers and the World Cup, have woken up a football-mad country led by the ‘Asian Mourinho’ and able FA president.

21 May 2024 - 8:08PM

Head coach accepts Hong Kong’s World Cup fate, aims to rebuild team’s confidence

Jorn Andersen acknowledges Hong Kong were well beaten in Uzbekistan and says team needs to ‘gain confidence’ again after some stern tests.

27 Mar 2024 - 4:43PM

Jorn Andersen rued injuries to the host of key players who missed Hong Kong’s 3-0 loss in Uzbekistan. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong out of World Cup following second Uzbekistan loss in one week

Hong Kong out of Fifa World Cup 2026 following defeat in Uzbekistan, visitors outclassed in Tashkent

27 Mar 2024 - 2:25AM

Matt Orr came on as a substitute for Hong Kong, but his team were 2-0 behind before he could have any impact. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong not in World Cup qualifiers to make up the numbers, says Andersen

Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen sends best wishes to Uzbekistan counterpart Srecko Katanec, with World Cup rival set to miss teams’ clash in Tashkent after falling ill

25 Mar 2024 - 7:30PM

Udebuluzor and club in ‘toxic relationship’ says striker, who wants World Cup role

Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor poised for summer move from German club Ingolstadt 04, pointing to ‘toxic relationship’, but priority is World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan.

25 Mar 2024 - 5:30PM

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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.