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Fifa World Cup

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
last updated:
15 October, 2024
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports and Youth Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal al-Saud (right) celebrates after Saudi Arabia is confirmed as host of the 2034 World Cup. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Saudi Arabia will host 2034 Fifa World Cup, with 2030 edition across 6 countries

Decision underlines the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport, despite concerns over its human rights record.

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Fifa

Fifa to name Saudi Arabia as World Cup 2034 hosts, with 2030 held in 6 countries

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Fifa

‘Humanising Saudi football’: Netflix show paves way for country to host World Cup

Fifa

Football’s footprint: a World Cup on 3 continents sparks concerns over climate

A joint bid from Europe, Africa, South America worries environmentalists, who say football’s governing body has a ‘moral responsibility’.

Construction workers at work at Morocco’s Marrakesh Stadium, one of several venues proposed for use at the 2030 Fifa World Cup. Photo: AFP
English Premier League

Junichi Inamoto, Japan’s first English Premier League player, retires aged 45

The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2001 but made his EPL debut a year later with Fulham after becoming a national hero at the 2002 World Cup.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong women can beat men to Fifa World Cup spot, says football star

Leung Kwun-chung reveals truth behind controversial Asian Cup fall-out, defends brother for missing Hong Kong call amid passport issue.

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Fifa

Fifa dismisses own report advice to pay Qatar World Cup workers’ compensation

Fifa was criticised by Amnesty International for not doing anything for families of migrant workers who died or were exploited.

Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, whose organisation have been urged to pay workers at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar compensation. Photo: dpa
Fifa

Fifa launches 2022 World Cup legacy fund for initiatives with WHO, WTO, UNHCR

Football’s world governing body had announced after the Qatar event it would use its proceeds to help the world’s ‘most vulnerable people’.

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Fifa rejects CFA life ban on South Korea’s Son, club boss calls China ‘unstable’

Son Jun-ho was detained in China for 10 months ‘on suspicion of accepting bribes’ and was one of 43 people banned.

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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.

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

‘Felt like a tennis player’: ex-Uruguay, Utd star Forlan debuts in ‘new’ sport

The former Manchester United forward starts professional tennis career by partnering Argentinian Federico Coria in the Uruguay Open.

Diego Forlan, the 45-year-old former Manchester United, Uruguay and Atletico Madrid footballer, playing in his professional tennis debut in a doubles match at the 2024 Uruguay Open. Photo: AFP
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura to still play next season – at age 58

Widely listed as the oldest active professional football player, the former international aims to play for fourth-tier Japanese club Suzuka.

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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.

Business of climate change

In electric buses as with EVs, it’s China versus rest of the world

As China’s market matures, exports hold the key to future profitability for Yutong, Foton and peers in rivalry with European electric-bus producers.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

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.

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

Opinion | Can China football find success in a market-driven US model?

Creating a college sports system in China could fix the country’s struggles in team sports and open new avenues for US-China cooperation.

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Art

Johannesburg artist breathes ‘energy and life’ into city’s decayed spaces

Berlin-based artist Robin Rhode is known for transforming abandoned spaces in Johannesburg. He shares why the city keeps calling him back.

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Hong Kong economy

Saudi Arabia seeks to attract Hong Kong investments for tourist spot Aseer

‘We want to bring the expertise, the know-how that Hong Kong’s businessmen have and transfer that knowledge to our region,’ Sultan Alshehri says.

Saudi chief of Aseer Region Development Authority Sultan Al-Shehri (left) says the kingdom is looking to attract Hong Kong investments. Photo: Eugene Lee
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The local premier league season has kicked off short of fans, sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, good facilities and exciting players.

Podcasts

Is this the best sports podcast ever?

From Bruce Lee to the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury’s yoga school, ESPN’s 30 for 30 makes the deepest of dives into all things sport

30 for 30 podcast, nominated for PostMag’s Hall of Fame. Photo: Handout
Icons and Influencers

Will he stay or will he go? Meet England national team manager Gareth Southgate

Tactically conservative yet with clear empathy for his players, how should we feel about England’s most successful manager in decades?

Where do Gareth Southgate and England go after their latest heartbreak against Spain in the 2024 Euros final? Photo: @wonderfullyfootbal/Instagram
Paris 2024 Olympic Games

France makes €9bn Olympic gamble, cost to be less than Tokyo, London, even Athens

While it will take time for the final bill to be tallied up, the event is expected to produce 6.7 billion to 11.1 billion euros in economic benefits for the Paris region.

Hong Kong police

Exclusive | Hong Kong police to deploy 4,000 officers on July 1 amid warning over seditious acts

Sources warn that anyone seen wearing seditious clothing on 27th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule could face arrest.

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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

No Messi repeat? Star names, ticket price revealed for Atletico’s Hong Kong game

Euro 2024 and Copa America stars will appear, host club Kitchee say, raising prospect of seeing likes of World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.

France midfielder Antoine Griezmann could line up in Hong Kong in August. Photo: AFP
Fifa World Cup 2026

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.

Former internationals Shinji Okazaki of Japan (second from left) and Mehdi Mahdavikia of Iran (right) help conduct the draw in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia tipped to ease alcohol ban as it uncorks tourism potential

There are signs the kingdom is weighing loosening alcohol restrictions to unleash a tourism gold rush.

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Chinese Football Association (CFA)

How China can reach 2026 Fifa World Cup, according to football commentator Zhan

The national team scraped into the next round of Asian qualifying after Singapore did them a favour, but Zhan sees cause for optimism.

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