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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.
Chinese referee Ma Ning says it is essential for any newcomer to genuinely love the game. Photo: Edmond So
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

World Cup referee Ma Ning hopes to ‘pass the torch’ to China’s next generation

Only the second official from the country to take charge at a Fifa World Cup, Ma says next step is encourage others to follow in his footsteps.

Fifa

Fifa president Gianni Infantino makes an appearance at U20 Women’s World Cup

Fifa

Key investor Kushner blames football power struggle for World Cup plan collapse

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Under-fire South Korean FA hires ex-Spain boss Robert Moreno as interim coach

The Spaniard will be in charge for friendly games in September-October with a view to taking the team to January’s Asian Cup.

Robert Moreno was Spain's assistant coach during qualifiers for the 2020 European championships. Photo: EPA-EFE
Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi retires from Argentina’s international team

Messi, who captained Argentina ⁠to the World Cup title in 2022 and ⁠the final in 2026, said the decision ‘hurt’ but ‘the time has come’.

Court of Arbitration for Sport

Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup final fracas, Argentina fined

Argentine Football Association says its legal department would request the grounds for the rulings from Fifa before filing an appeal.

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Get to Know

Meet fried chicken mogul Todd Graves, who spent US$100 million on a World Cup party

From the Super Bowl to Coachella, the multibillionaire’s high-profile bashes draw A-listers like Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cardi B.

Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves is making a big splash with his lavish parties. Photo: @toddgraves/Instagram
South Korea

South Korean football body apologises after report on referee sex scandal

The Korea Football Association refers to reports about events that ‘even many within the organisation ‌were unaware of’.

Americas and the Caribbean

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.

Get to Know

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

The teenager, whose mum’s identity remains a mystery, is in Al Nassr’s youth team, and has trained with Real Madrid’s youth setup in the past.

Cristiano Jr is following in dad Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps and has already made waves in youth teams. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram
South Korea

South Korean football faces ‘whistles in favour’ foreign referee sex scandal

In response, a South Korean football official refers to ‘unpleasant incidents 15 years ago’ and that the body now ‘strictly’ follows rules.

videocam
A football friendly match between South Korea and Honduras in Daegu stadium in 2018. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

Police raid South Korea FA in investigation into World Cup coach appointment

Officers conduct ‘search and seizure operations’ at the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters.

Fifa

After Ref Cam lights up World Cup, what’s next for Lenovo’s AI tech in football?

Chinese multinational raised the bar for television coverage, now bosses eye bringing their expertise to the game’s mainstream.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Lamine Yamal’s parents, Sheila and Mounir – and viral brother Keyne

The Spanish football star was born when his parents were teens, and the story behind his unique compound name stems from their humble past.

Lamine Yamal with mum Sheila Ebana and brother Keyne, who went viral during the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Photo: @forblaugrana/Instagram
Americas and the Caribbean

Argentina’s president decrees expulsion of foreigners expressing ‘hate’ against nation

Move follows backlash over World Cup defeat as legal experts and opposition politicians denounce emergency measure as unconstitutional.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Uefa votes to boycott World Cup if Fifa goes ahead with private investor plan

The core investor would be a US investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Fifa

Fifa boss Infantino accuses World Cup critics of spreading hate, false narratives

Chief of football’s global governing body defends the tournament as a success that celebrated unity, safety and inclusion in an open letter.

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Fame and celebrity

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.

French football icon Zinedine Zidane and his son Luca Zidane in 2024. Photo: @luca/Instagram
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.

Erling Haaland

Meet Erling Haaland’s dad Alfie, who played for Norway in the 1994 World Cup

Before a knee injury forced his retirement, Alfie Haaland enjoyed a successful football career at Manchester City and more … but guess what he wanted his youngest son to become?

Donald Trump

Kalshi cashes in with US$27 billion World Cup windfall, but legal issues remain

Prediction market start-up lets people wager on ‌the outcome of events such as sport and elections and has gained popularity since 2024.

Ferran Torres (centre) celebrates scoring Spain’s winning goal during the World Cup final against Argentina. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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
Erling Haaland

Vozinha, Haaland named in World Cup dream team, but no place for Kane, Yamal

Fans voted for Cabo Verde’s hero goalkeeper but left out golden gloves winner Unai Simon, World Cup winner Lamine Yamal.

Sex and relationships

Meet Maduka Okoye’s baby mama Jelicia Westhoff, who’s accused him of cheating

The Dutch model, who shares a son with the Nigerian goalie voted the world’s sexiest footballer, went on a rant after he was spotted with rapper Cardi B.

Fifa

China’s World Cup frenzy: 70 billion views, 83.3 billion yuan in lottery sales

Figures from CCTV and China Sports Lottery reveal tournament’s reach while sponsors and retailers also benefit from huge interest.

The World Cup final had a peak real-time viewership of 41.23 million in China, according to CCTV. Photo: EPA
Fifa

Spain return home for massive parade, with World Cup and all-conquering identity

Winning team, who are greeted in Madrid by almost two million people including royals and prime minister, are apex of a now-dominant system.

Spain players on buses during the World Cup victory parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday. Photo: 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.

Erling Haaland

Spain leapfrog Argentina in Fifa rankings after World Cup win, Norway biggest climber

France and England remained No 3 and No 4, while Tunisia dropped 12 places after being the only African nation to miss out on the knockouts.

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