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.
US President Donald Trump (right) and Fifa president Gianni Infantino present present the World Cup trophy during the award ceremony following the 2026 Fifa World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York-New Jersey Stadium. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
Uefa

European soccer teams boycotting World Cup to protest Fifa 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

Fame and celebrity

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

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.

Fans cheer during the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at the Olympian City shopping centre in Tai Kok Tsui on July 20. Photo: Sun Yeung
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

China’s private sector

Fifa effect: Hong Kong developers bet on sport fever to keep shoppers spending

Neighbourhood malls to host year-round events encouraging consumers to open their wallets after World Cup mania delivers double-digit gains.

videocam
More than 1,000 soccer fans packed the Olympian City shopping mall in Tai Kok Tsui as they cheered for their teams during the World Cup final match live broadcast between Spain and Argentina. Photo: Sun Yeung
Fifa

More teams, bigger format but same result: key takeaways from 2026 Fifa World Cup

Despite fears beforehand over how fans would be treated and how the hosts would fare, there were thrills aplenty and some fairy-tale stories.

Spain celebrate on the podium during the awards ceremony after they beat Argentina 1-0 on Sunday to win the 2026 Fifa World Cup in New Jersey. Photo: Xinhua
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.

Fifa

Spain’s World Cup win sparks surge in flight searches as Argentina face backlash

Data from mainland travel agency shows a sharp rise in inquiries for flights to Spain as losing fans deal with their side’s actions.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Athletes

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.

Ferran Torres wearing Under Armour FC last month. The Spanish footballer just scored a winning goal at the World Cup. Photo: @ferrantorres/Instagram
Lionel Messi

France’s Kylian Mbappe wins second World Cup Golden Boot, Spain sweep other awards

Midfielder Rodri ‌collected the Golden Ball, goalkeeper ⁠Unai Simon won Golden Glove and defender Pau Cubarsi claimed Best Young Player.

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.

Emotional Spain boss praises side’s ‘team first’ approach after World Cup win

Luis de la Fuente becomes oldest coach to guide a team to win World Cup. Spain now unbeaten in 38 matches across all competitions.

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente lifts the World Cup trophy alongside his players. Photo: Reuters
Fifa World Cup

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.

5
Spain’s Ferran Torres (left) celebrates with Nico Williams after scoring the only goal of the game. Photo: EPA
Fifa

BTS, Madonna and the Muppets light up Fifa World Cup half-time show

The star-packed, Super Bowl-style extravaganza during the match between Spain and Argentina also featured a tribute to football icon Pele.

Donald Trump

Trump and Infantino set to face red-card protest at Fifa World Cup final

The US president and Fifa boss have faced criticism after US striker Folarin Balogun had his ban lifted despite receiving a red card.

Fifa

Fifa World Cup final: what factors favour Argentina, what factors favour Spain

Looking beyond Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, what are the strengths that help title holders Argentina and European champions Spain?

Spain's Lamine Yamal (left) and Argentina's Lionel Messi are their teams' obvious main weapons for the final in New Jersey on Sunday, but both sides have several other trump cards. Photo: TNS
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.

8
A customer browses a FIFA World Cup 2026 store in Beijing displaying merchandise featuring Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi. Photo: EPA

Tuchel claims England should be proud of World Cup bronze, Deschamps bows out

Third place is England’s best finish at a World Cup since 1966. Deschamps leaves France after 14 years in charge.

Mbappe overtakes Messi as World Cup’s top scorer, England win 10-goal thriller

Kylian Mbappe scores twice to take lead in race for golden boot and become highest scorer in tournament history. Saka bags hat-trick.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement