TOPIC

Fifa World Cup 2026

Chinese supporters at their team’s previous match, the 1-0 away win over Bahrain last week. Photo: Xinhua

China fans pray for minor loss at worst in World Cup 2026 qualifier against Japan

Despite coming off back of two wins, China go in as underdogs against the Asian giants, especially as they will be without three key players.

19 Nov 2024 - 4:00PM

China’s fragile 2026 World Cup hopes face ultimate test in Japan rematch

17 Nov 2024 - 10:00PM

Kiwi coach hails ‘amazing’ Wood, desire to get All Whites to World Cup 2026

15 Nov 2024 - 12:38AM

Group leaders Japan, South Korea face away tests in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

The Japanese face still-in-contention bottom sides Indonesia and China, while the Koreans welcome back Son Heung-min.

12 Nov 2024 - 3:00PM

At least 78,000 Indonesian spectators will pack out Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and watch on electric screens outside in the hope their team pull off a shock on Friday against Japan. Photo: AFP

Bahrain concerns taken ‘seriously’ after death threats since Indonesia game

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.

19 Oct 2024 - 4:16AM

England eye 2026 World Cup glory after naming ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel as manager

Lee Carsley, who had been in interim charge following Gareth Southgate’s exit, will return to manage the under-21s side.

16 Oct 2024 - 5:28PM

Coach Ivankovic thanks players, crowd after China snap World Cup losing streak

Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Indonesia before a 37,000 crowd at Qingdao revives China’s hopes as the big guns stay on course for the finals.

16 Oct 2024 - 3:59PM

A fan waves China’s national flag to celebrate their team’s win against Indonesia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification match in Qingdao on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China aiming to revive Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign against Indonesia

Branko Ivankovic’s team must end their losing streak to stand a chance of reaching next round of qualifying.

14 Oct 2024 - 4:58PM

Saudi players cannot live in past with World Cup spot on line, warns coach Mancini

Veteran Italian coach says Saudi Arabia, hoping to play in their third straight finals, have ‘only one problem’ compared with past campaigns.

13 Oct 2024 - 10:00AM

Japan march on in World Cup qualifiers, Indonesia suffer 99th-minute heartbreak

Midfielder Daichi Kamada says his team can all but book their place in the finals for the eight straight time by beating Australia on Tuesday.

11 Oct 2024 - 2:39PM

Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 away to pull five points clear at the top of Group C, ahead of a chasing pack led by Australia, whom they meet on Tuesday in Saitama. Photo: AFP

China take shock lead but lose again as Australia revive Fifa World Cup bid

Socceroos end their goal drought to give new boss Tony Popovic a winning start in front of almost 50,000 fans in Adelaide.

10 Oct 2024 - 8:46PM

China’s Xie Wenneng celebrates scoring the opening goal against Australia at Adelaide Oval. Photo: AAP Image via Reuters

Japan set sights on Saudi Arabia, Australia host China in World Cup qualifiers

Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan arrive in the Gulf state having scored 12 times in thrashing China and Bahrain; Socceroos’ new coach makes his debut.

9 Oct 2024 - 3:30PM

South Korea coach Hong denies preferential treatment claims amid fan unhappiness

Media reports say the second-time coach was picked ahead of several foreign candidates but Hong says he was assured he was the top candidate.

25 Sep 2024 - 11:19PM

World Cup: Australia appoint Popovic as qualification hopes hang in the balance

The 51-year-old takes over from Graham Arnold, who quit after the team’s poor start to the latest round of World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

23 Sep 2024 - 1:49PM

Tony Popovic, the newly appointed head coach for Australia’s national football team, at a press conference in Sydney on Monday. Photo: AFP

Australia to make Popovic head coach ahead of crucial World Cup clash with China

Former Crystal Palace defender expected to take charge before third round of Asian qualifying, to sign 2-year deal with Football Australia.

22 Sep 2024 - 5:21PM

Tony Popovic is expected to be named as the new coach of the Australia men’s team. Photo: AFP

Australia’s race against time to find new manager for World Cup qualifiers

Football Australia rule out making an interim appointment despite having less than three weeks until matches against China and Japan.

21 Sep 2024 - 1:49PM

World Cup: Australia coach Arnold resigns after poor start to qualifying phase

Decision follows heavy criticism from fans and pundits after a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on home soil and a 0-0 draw away against Indonesia.

20 Sep 2024 - 10:19AM

Editorial | 7 reasons for poor China to bounce back

The only way is up for men’s football team in World Cup quest after being crushed by Japan and a 2-1 defeat to 10-man Saudi Arabia

12 Sep 2024 - 8:41AM

Head coach Branko Ivankovic (centre, rear) and China players react during the team’s 7-0 drubbing by arch-rival Japan in the World Cup qualifying match. Photo: EPA-EFE

China coach Ivankovic won’t quit, boosted by improved performance in Saudi loss

Branko Ivankovic says he saw signs for optimism in 2-1 defeat at home in World Cup qualifier.

11 Sep 2024 - 1:01PM

Kadesh header consigns China to World Cup qualifying defeat against Saudi Arabia

Hassan Kadesh scores twice from corners to seal 2-1 win as China slip to another defeat.

10 Sep 2024 - 10:56PM

Blame it on the rain: China fans set for expected World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia

After a 7-0 defeat to Japan, a hashtag saying Tuesday’s match could be played in the rain has been trending on Weibo, with fans on the defensive.

9 Sep 2024 - 2:56PM

Chinese football fans fear the worst in their Fifa World Cup qualifying clash with Saudi Arabia, following their 7-0 humiliation against Japan. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese fans savage team after ‘disastrous’ 7-0 World Cup belting against Japan

The hammering was hotly discussed on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with one paper placing blame on coach Ivankovic’s ‘incompetence’.

6 Sep 2024 - 3:16PM

A Chinese fan reacts after his team’s “numbing” 7-0 loss to Asia’s top-ranked team in Saitama, Japan. Photo: Xinhua

Japan’s Endo warns of World Cup Asian zone perils, starting with Ivankovic’s China

Japan captain says he is wary of China’s wily 70-year-old coach, who has twice masterminded wins over the Japanese in his previous jobs

4 Sep 2024 - 7:29PM

Palestinians face tough South Korea test on road to 2026 World Cup

China get their campaign under way against Japan in what is considered the toughest qualifying group of the round

4 Sep 2024 - 5:30PM

Indonesia lean on Dutch-born contingent in quest for return to World Cup

Nine players in the squad that beat the Philippines, helping the nation into the next stage, were born in the Netherlands, their former rulers.

3 Sep 2024 - 10:00PM

Indonesia’s Amsterdam-born midfielder Thom Haye (right) celebrates after scoring the first goal in their 2-0 win over the Philippines, with teammate Asnawi Mangkualam. Photo: Reuters

World Cup 2026 in North America within reach as Asian qualifying ramps up

Giants Japan and South Korea face China and Palestine, respectively, while Asian champs Qatar host UAE as final 18 teams vie for at least 6 spots.

3 Sep 2024 - 3:00PMvideocam

Skipper Son Heung-Min will undoubtedly be South Korea’s biggest threat when they take on Palestine, who are making their debut at this qualifying stage. Photo: Xinhua

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.

10 Jul 2024 - 4:33PM

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

Hong Myung-bo to leave K1 side Ulsan HD as club chases third domestic title in a row.

7 Jul 2024 - 3:53PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024