Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

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.
Players of the Iranian team leave the US Embassy after completing their visa application procedures for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Fifa

Iran players apply for US, Canada visas in signal they will play at World Cup

Iran squad pause training to attend appointments for Canadian visas, with some seeking US ones; however, travel, ⁠security concerns persist.

Pep Guardiola

Rising star to global icon: who could be the 2026 World Cup’s breakout player?

Fifa

Iran confirms squad heading to Turkey for Fifa World Cup preparation

Lionel Messi

The last dance: Messi and Ronaldo get ready for sixth and final Fifa World Cup

Two best players of their generation prepare to make history this summer, 20 years after their first appearances at football’s biggest tournament.

Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi (centre) holds the World Cup after beating France in the 2022 final in Qatar. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Injured winger Mitoma fails to make Japan’s World Cup squad as Tomiyasu returns

Liverpool’s Endo and Crystal Palace’s Kamada also make cut as coach Hajime Moriyasu picks best 26 ‘for Japan to win on the world stage’.

China Mobile

CCTV, Fifa agree World Cup TV deal covering 4 tournaments until 2031

State broadcaster says agreement with governing body was reached on Friday and will cover men’s and women’s events.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Chris Martin

Scientists warn Fifa that World Cup games at risk of searing heat

One in four games could take place in very hot conditions; meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever half-time show in final.

The final, which will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has a chance of being played under extreme heat. Photo: AP
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China youth teams make World Cups amid Fifa hopes of seeing nation back at the top

Both under-17 men’s and women’s teams reach final stages of Asian Cup to book World Cup spots as Mattias Grafstrom praises Chinese system.

Donald Trump

Don’t mention the war: Tucson prepares to welcome Iran football team for World Cup

Even though Democrats and Republicans in the multicultural city are happy to host the players, some Persians refuse to support them.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi tipped for Hong Kong return, Argentine gearing up for World Cup

Sports marketing entrepreneur Michael Rocha-Keys hopes former Barcelona star comes back to city in ‘more organised manner’ in the near future.

5
Lionel Messi (centre) stayed on the bench when Inter Miami played a Tatler Asia-organised match in Hong Kong in February 2024. Photo: Sam Tsang
Fifa

Fifa officials head to China to discuss bargain broadcasting deal for World Cup

Football’s global governing body is reportedly offering to slash the price and talks will also cover a package for 2026 and 2030 editions.

Both sides were said to be optimistic about reaching a deal and an announcement could be made in the second half of May. Photo :AFP
Mexico

Mexico to end school year 40 days early for World Cup amid heatwave

Authorities may bring forward the next academic year to compensate for lost time, as stunned families scramble to arrange childcare.

Fifa

World Cup ticket prices dropping on resale market as Fifa triples ‘best’ price for final

News comes ⁠not long after its president, Gianni Infantino, defends the high costs ⁠and attributes them to the demand in the US market.

Fifa

Iran FA chief wants Fifa guarantee country’s special forces will not be insulted

Mehdi Taj, who turned back from Canadian border over ‘disrespectful treatment’, says the assurance is needed for the team to take part.

Iran are marked absent as Fifa secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom (fourth from front left) conducts the roll call during the Fifa Congress in Vancouver last week. Photo: AP
Fifa

China fans: why pay to watch a World Cup we’re not in, can get for free online?

Chinese fans back state broadcaster in battle with Fifa over TV rights, with poor kick-off times and bad national team hurting interest.

The Fifa logo is displayed on a World Cup countdown timer outside BC Place stadium in Vancouver. Photo: AP
Fifa

Fifa faces World Cup broadcast crisis after India’s low offer, no China decision

Lack of deal from the two nations, which accounted for almost 25 per cent of TV, digital streaming reach for 2022 tournament, is unusual.

Formula One (F1)

Mercedes F1 boss hopes Italian public are fair to ‘superstars’ Antonelli, Sinner

Toto Wolff wary of Italy’s World Cup failure adding to hype around driver, who has become first Italian to win three straight races since 1952.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Fifa

Dutch league avoids chaos as court dismisses lawsuit over Indonesia passport

NAC Breda had contested 6-0 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles, whose defender Dean James was part of Indonesia’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mika Godts (right) scores Ajax’s second goal in their 2-0 win last month over NAC Breda, who sit second from bottom of the Eredivisie. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Fifa President Gianni Infantino confirms Iran will play World Cup games in USA

Head of world football also confirmed that he will seek re-election, with the Asian and African confederations supporting his bid.

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.

Fifa

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

The $2,299,998.85 seats for the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are located behind a goal in the lower deck.

An image from the Fifa Resale/Exchange Marketplace website on Thursday showing the resale asking price for a ticket to the World Cup final on July 19. Photo: AP
Hong Kong Football Festival

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

It’s time for action instead of empty talk towards fixing the problems, says Inter Milan legend, who scored nine goals in two World Cups.

Christian Vieri rejoices after scoring the first of his two goals against Cameroon during a World Cup match at France 1998. The striker also played in the 2002 tournament. Photo: AP
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.

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.

4
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.

US President Donald Trump greets Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in October 2025. Photo: AP
Mexico

World Cup co-host Mexico ramps up security at tourist sites after shooting

Rare attack that killed a tourist at the Teotihuacan pyramids threatens Mexico’s image of safety weeks before the Fifa tournament.

National Guard patrol the perimeter of the Teotihuacan pyramids after a gunman killed a Canadian woman and wounded several others. Photo: Reuters
Kathy Hochul

American train bosses planning to fleece World Cup fans going to New York matches

Reports suggest New Jersey Transit could charge supporters US$100 to get to MetLife Stadium, up from usual cost of US$12.90.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Bayern, Villa clash one of 3 matches set for feast of football in Hong Kong

Star strikers Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martinez could all be heading to city in August, but only if their countries flop at World Cup.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement