Fifa World Cup

Americas and the Caribbean

2022

Fifa World Cup 2022

2018

Fifa World Cup 2018

The ball that was used in the 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England during which Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal is displayed before auction at Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball heads to US auction

The football used by the Argentinian legend to score his infamous goal in the 1986 World Cup is expected to fetch US$10 million.

8 Aug 2026 - 6:56AM

Get to Know

All about Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, pictured flexing abs with his dad

7 Aug 2026 - 7:00PM

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Mexico, Argentina back under-fire Infantino, Norway calls for him to resign

7 Aug 2026 - 7:09PM

Timepieces

5 top watch moments in July, from Wimbledon wrist game to an F.P. Journe for auction

Former Audemars Piguet CEO unveils a new brand, IWC and Longines lean into blue dials, and a US watch retailer sues over Trump tariffs on Swiss imports.

7 Aug 2026 - 2:00PM

Phillips is auctioning a pre-production F.P. Journe; Andrew Garfield sports the IWC Ingenieur 35 Pool Blue at Wimbledon; Longines releases the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve in light blue. Photos: Wirelmage; Handouts

Opinion | Why underdogs like Alexandra Eala, Cabo Verde, Dear You fascinate us

Money still shapes the balance of power, but every so often a team, player or film will rise up to challenge the status quo and inspire us.

7 Aug 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Embattled Fifa chief Infantino holds emergency talks in Morocco with top officials

Fifa president trying to shore up his position in the wake of ⁠the collapse of his plan to sell off World Cup commercial rights.

5 Aug 2026 - 8:31PM

Indonesia

Offside move? Why Indonesia’s football chief backed Fifa privatisation plan

Erick Thohir said the Indonesian football association should back Fifa’s proposal because of its contributions to the local game.

4 Aug 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

Erick Thohir attends the pre-Olympic play-off match between Indonesia and Guinea at Paris 2024. Photo: AFP

Uefa threatens Fifa with legal action over World Cup plan, Infantino sought Trump’s backing

Fifa boss reported to have repeatedly tried and failed to reach US President by phone since his controversial proposal collapsed on Friday.

3 Aug 2026 - 9:30PM

Asia, Europe welcome end of World Cup investor plans in big Infantino defeat

AFC chief calls for more transparency as doubts are cast on Infantino’s 2027 ⁠re-election prospects; Uefa declares ‘no confidence’.

1 Aug 2026 - 9:18PM

Fifa not ‘selling football’ as Uefa vows World Cup boycott over Infantino plan

World governing body says ⁠it will not create subsidiary without ⁠majority support after widespread condemnation of president’s idea.

31 Jul 2026 - 11:00PM

Asian body joins opposition to Fifa, Infantino’s World Cup private equity plan

Asian Football Confederation aligns with Uefa, Concacaf against plan to sell stakes in World Cup, says new management style needed.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:30PM

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (centre) at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Manama, Bahrain in 2023. Photo: AFP

Meet French football icon Zinedine Zidane’s son Luca, who played for Algeria at the World Cup

The 28-year-old goalkeeper made his debut for Real Madrid when Zizou was the manager; he now plays for Granada CF in La Liga 2.

27 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Dynamism returns to Hong Kong retail with World Cup windfall

Scenes from shopping centres and eateries during the final match prove the city hasn’t lost its penchant for vibrant nightlife.

26 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

Food and Drinks

On the Menu | How Argentina’s World Cup meltdowns echo restaurant award tantrums

Just as Argentina suffered a sad case of sour grapes over losing to Spain, so too have restaurateurs and chefs been ungracious in defeat.

23 Jul 2026 - 12:15PM

Argentina’s Leandro Paredes clashes with Spain’s Gavi after the end of the World Cup 2026 final. Spain won 1-0. Like in sports, tantrums and meltdowns are also aplenty in the hospitality world, Charmaine Mok says. Photo: Imagn Images via Reuters

Celebrity Families

Meet England footballer Jude Bellingham’s parents, Denise and Mark

Mark is a retired non-league footballer, while Denise was an HR professional – but now they’re both involved in their 2 sons’ football careers.

21 Jul 2026 - 12:10PM

Jude Bellingham celebrating joining Real Madrid in 2023, with his family by his side. Photo: @judebellingham/Instagram

Spain

Teen dies during Spain World Cup celebrations

The teen died and several people were injured after a fountain collapsed in western Spain during celebrations.

20 Jul 2026 - 8:39PM

Meet Ferran Torres, who scored Spain’s winning World Cup goal

The 26-year-old was discovered when playing futsal with friends at school, and played for Valencia and Man City before joining Barcelona.

20 Jul 2026 - 3:39PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong restaurants score extra HK$500 million thanks to World Cup

Crowds of football fans, including children and elderly, flocked to shopping centres for match between Spain and Argentina at 3am.

20 Jul 2026 - 10:47PM

Spain celebrate their World Cup win against Argentina. Photo: Associated Press

Spain beat 10-man Argentina to win one-sided World Cup final

Ferran Torres scores only goal of a game in which defending champions did not create a chance in more than 90 minutes.

20 Jul 2026 - 11:58AM

China exports

China did not qualify for the World Cup. It may have won in economic terms

While its men’s team has not competed since 2002, this year’s tournament has generated significant profit for many Chinese firms.

19 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

Editorial | World Cup has showcased the beautiful game despite some ugly moments

While high ticket prices, visa issues and a Trump intervention cast a shadow on the tournament, the engrossing competition has also brought people together.

19 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

Buddhist Chi Lin Primary School’s “World Cup Round of 16 Family Fun Day” in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on July 12, with students and their parents cheering for their favourite team during the Argentina vs Switzerland game. Photo: Dickson Lee

Law

Legal Tales | Everything you never wanted to know about hosting the World Cup

Why lawyers have to keep their eye on the ball when nations become eager to host the next Fifa World Cup.

16 Jul 2026 - 9:30AM

Official sponsors pay billions for exclusivity, meaning host nations must establish “clean zones” around stadiums where unauthorised advertising and street trading are prohibited. Photo: Reuters

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Meet Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández, a footballer on screen – and in real life

The Mexican actor was signed by El Paso Locomotive FC in May and made his long-awaited professional debut on the pitch last Saturday.

16 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman says business ‘up 60 to 70 per cent’ in nightlife district and set to get ‘crazier’ for the final.

13 Jul 2026 - 12:41PM

World Cup tears, and trials with Son Heung-min: meet Sri Lanka star in Hong Kong

Set to leave city after 3½ years, Waseem Razeek was ball boy for 2006 final between France and Italy; injury ruined own World Cup chance.

11 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

Waseem Razeek playing for Erfurt against SV Werder Bremen II in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

Malaysia

Chinese tourist’s World Cup flag blunder in Malaysia goes viral

The visitor demanded a hotel fly China’s flag, unaware the display only featured nations that had actually qualified for the tournament.

7 Jul 2026 - 1:50PM

A still from a social media video shows a Chinese tourist at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, irate about the absence of China’s national flag from a World Cup display. Photo: Threads

Meet Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal’s girlfriend, Inés García

Yamal was last linked to Nicki Nicole, but stepped out in May at FC Barcelona’s celebration with García, an influencer with a million followers.

7 Jul 2026 - 6:00AM