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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.
In a letter to Spain’s King Felipe (right), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (left) said the World Cup was “a timely opportunity to evoke the depth and unique character of the ties” between their two countries. Photos: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico invites Spain’s king to World Cup in sign of thaw

President Sheinbaum’s invitation came after the monarch acknowledged there had been ‘a lot of abuse’ during Spain’s conquest of the Americas.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran ‘negotiating’ with Fifa over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy

Hong Kong Football Club

Only heat can stop ‘top England’ winning World Cup, says Wales boss Bellamy

Fifa

Iraq, Italy, who could replace Iran at World Cup? Rules say Fifa can pick anyone

Iraq and United Arab Emirates could be part of the solution, but both face travel issues caused by US and Israel’s war in the Middle East.

Iran have said they will not take part in this summer’s Fifa World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not compete in US-hosted 2026 World Cup, sports minister says

Ahmad Donyamali says the US and Israeli air strikes mean ‘under no circumstances can we participate⁠’ in event hosted by US, Canada, Mexico.

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Fifa

Iran football federation chief says World Cup participation in US is in doubt

‘The US regime has attacked our homeland … we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,’ said Mehdi Taj.

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VAR expanded, new rules to curb time wasting approved in time for World Cup

Video assistant referee’s role to now include second bookings and corners; countdown for throw-ins, goal kicks brought in to prevent delays.

The International Football Association Board signed off on three changes to the VAR (video assistant referee) protocol on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Claudia Sheinbaum

Fifa boss ‘very reassured’ about World Cup in Mexico despite violence

Host city Guadalajara rocked by attacks, while Portuguese Football Federation casts doubt on team playing friendly on March 29 in Mexico City.

Fifa

Fifa boss sorry for offending British football fans, defends Trump peace prize

Gianni Infantino, who awarded Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize, had said the Qatar World Cup was special because ‘no Brit was arrested’.

China manufacturing

As World Cup boosts merch demand, China’s small-goods capital Yiwu stays wary

China sees a spike in orders from across the globe for footy-themed flags, scarves and wristbands but overall economic outlook is still weak.

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Fifa President Gianni Infantino holds a football next to the Fifa World Cup trophy as he attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Fifa president jokes about British football fans, defends ticket prices

Gianni Infantino also addressed concerns around the staging of this summer’s finals in the United States at the World Economic Forum.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino said the finals would be ‘the greatest celebration of humanity’. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Fifa boss Infantino hails World Cup demand after 150 million tickets requested

Gianni Infantino says there would be ‘no football in 150 countries in the world’ without Fifa, defends cost of attending matches.

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Fifa

Editorial | Pricing out most fans harmful to World Cup’s football festival

Elite sporting events must not become the preserve of the privileged, and Fifa must explore ways of creating affordable ticketing options.

Fifa

Year in football: growth, mismatches point to direction ‘beautiful game’ will take

‘Success’ of Club World Cup, bigger World Cup go hand in hand with more money, technology coming in, but player welfare is an issue.

Fifa described its expanded 32-team Club World Cup, won by English club Chelsea, as a “roaring success”. Photo: AP
Fifa

Fifa unveils limited number of US$60 World Cup tickets after global backlash

Supporter group says ‘revisions do not go far enough’ and exposes flaws in how prices for the tournament had been set.

Football’s global governing body said in a statement that it had created a limited number of “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets fixed at US$60 for all 104 matches. Photo: dpa
Donald Trump

Fifa’s neutrality ‘broken’ after Trump role at World Cup draw: German politician

Vice-president of German parliament slams ‘disgusting’ ceremony in which Donald Trump received peace prize, and calls ticket prices ‘insane’.

Lionel Messi

Another Lionel Messi farce as angry Indian fans riot, vandalise stadium

Video shows fans, who had paid ‘a month’s salary’ to see touring Argentine superstar, throwing ripped-up seats, other objects onto field.

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Carlo Ancelotti

Silva defends Fifa World Cup expansion, fears Brazil aren’t good enough to win

Gilberto Silva, who has worked as a technical adviser for game’s governing body, ‘wants to be positive’ about 48-team tournament.

Gilberto Silva during his visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li
Donald Trump

Trump talks trade with Canada, Mexico leaders at World Cup draw

The three nations are preparing for a review of their trade pact amid rising US tariffs and threats by Washington to withdraw from the USMCA.

Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw repeats past as France face Senegal, England play Croatia

Argentina drawn to start against Algeria after a show that lasts almost as long as a football match.

Donald Trump

Fifa gives Trump its new peace prize at World Cup draw

The US president, who has campaigned for but not received a Nobel Peace Prize, says he doesn’t need awards, just wants to ‘save lives’.

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US President Donald Trump is awarded the Fifa Peace Prize in Washington on Friday. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump and Sheinbaum to meet for first time at Fifa World Cup draw in Washington

The Mexican president, along with Canada’s PM Mark Carney, is expected to discuss trade tariffs with Trump at the football tournament draw.

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Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong society

Opinion | National Games underscored ties that bind Hongkongers with rest of China

Through tears and celebrations, the Games highlighted the importance of connectivity and the shared spirit among China’s peoples and regions.

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Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min set to make South Korean history in glamour Brazil friendly

Ex-Tottenham skipper is tied with manager Hong Myung-bo and ex-striker Cha Bum-kun on 136 international appearances.

Fifa

World Cup Asian qualifiers: players back Queiroz to lead Oman to first finals

Omanis to tackle latest round under former Real Madrid manager; ex-China coach Fabio Cannavaro will take Uzbekistan to next year’s event.

Oman coach Carlos Queiroz is trying to book his fifth World Cup appearance after featuring three times with Iran and once with his native Portugal. Photo: AFP
Fifa

3 years after stadium disaster, Indonesia 2 wins away from return to World Cup

Southeast Asian nation among six vying next week for two Asian spots remaining in 2026 global event co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico.

Indonesia ended China’s World Cup hopes after beating them 1-0 in an Asian Qualifiers Group C match in Jakarta in June. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Fifa’s ban on Malaysian players fuels rival interference claims

Fans are questioning Fifa’s reversal of eligibility approval for seven naturalised players, suspecting complaints from Indonesia or Vietnam.

Uefa

Uefa moves towards vote to suspend Israel from European football over Gaza war

Majority of 20-member executive committee are expected to support banning Israeli teams from international play.

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