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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

Indonesian cabinet minister and PSSI chairman Erick Thohir wants his country’s football team to be in the top 50 in the world by 2045. Photo: AFP

Fifa

Minister Thohir determined to take ‘sleeping giants’ Indonesia back to World Cup

The head of the national football body is banking on a top-down approach to put his country in the frame for a trip to the 2026 finals.

25 Dec 2024 - 6:30PM

Fifa

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

12 Dec 2024 - 3:04AMvideocam

AFC Asian Cup 2023

Asian champions Qatar sack coach Lopez after poor World Cup qualifying campaign

11 Dec 2024 - 8:22PM

Fifa

Forward undergoing China naturalisation process, amid injury crisis in attack

Oscar Maritu is also expected to join former Hong Kong boss Jorn Andersen’s maiden Chinese Super League venture at Yunnan Yukun.

28 Nov 2024 - 2:00PM

Oscar Maritu (centre) could add some much-needed firepower to China’s frontline as he undergoes the naturalisation process. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa

Win over Saudi Arabia gives Indonesia belief they can make World Cup finals: coach

Shin Tae-yong says his team believe they can reach their first finals since 1938; fellow Korean Son pays tribute to ‘inspiring’ Palestine.

20 Nov 2024 - 7:01PM

China’s World Cup hopes alive despite Japan loss, as Indonesia stun Saudi Arabia

While the Japanese are running away as leaders in a thrilling Group C, just one point separates second-place Australia and bottom side China.

20 Nov 2024 - 12:08PM

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.

19 Nov 2024 - 4:00PM

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

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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

Branko Ivankovic’s side have rekindled hopes of qualifying after back-to-back wins over Indonesia and Bahrain.

17 Nov 2024 - 10:00PM

English Premier League

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

Darren Bazeley hopes the high-scoring 32-year-old Premier League star can fire his country to their first World Cup finals since 2010.

15 Nov 2024 - 12:38AM

Fifa

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

Fifa

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

Bahrain and Indonesia players clash after the match at the Bahrain National Stadium last week. Photo: Reuters

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

Fifa

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

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.

14 Oct 2024 - 4:58PM

Agony for China goalkeeper Wang Dalei and his defenders during their defeat by Saudi Arabia in Dalian last month. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa

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

Saudi Arabia’s Italian coach Roberto Mancini has told his players they cannot rely on past performances to confirm their passage to North America in two years’ time. Photo: AFP

Fifa

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

Fifa World Cup

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

Fifa

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

Japan will be largely unchanged for the meeting with Saudi Arabia, who are two points adrift, and say their main problem will be dealing with the heat. Photo: Kyodo

Fifa

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

Fifa

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

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

Australia are hopeful of securing a quick replacement for Graham Arnold (pictured), who quit his role after a difficult recent World Cup qualifying campaign. Photo: AFP

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

China

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

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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

China’s players sing the national anthem before their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

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

Hassan Kadesh scored twice in Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over China. Photo: Xinhua

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.

9 Sep 2024 - 2:56PM

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

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