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Fifa World Cup

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Fifa World Cup. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

2026

Fifa World Cup 2026

2022

Fifa World Cup 2022

2018

Fifa World Cup 2018

China coach Branko Ivankovic speaks to the press ahead of his side’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia in Hangzhou. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Hangzhou becomes sea of red as China fans brace for decisive World Cup qualifier

China must beat Australia on Tuesday to have any chance of securing automatic qualification to 2026 tournament.

25 Mar 2025 - 4:11PM

Fifa

‘Fought bravely’: China boss praises players despite defeat by Saudi Arabia

21 Mar 2025 - 6:33PM

Fifa

China’s World Cup hopes take hit in Saudi Arabia after Japan first to qualify

21 Mar 2025 - 3:34PM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China will fail to qualify for 2026 Fifa World Cup, DeepSeek predicts

The team, who are bottom of their group and face Saudi Arabia, have only a 2.6 per cent chance of finishing in the top two, it says.

20 Mar 2025 - 10:00PM

Deepseek estimates there to be a 70.7 per cent chance that China will finish in the bottom two of Group C, thereby missing out again on a World Cup. Photo: Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Who is Sofi Martínez – and is she secretly dating footballer Lionel Messi?

Argentine sports journalist Sofi Martínez has decided to speak publicly about the rumour there’s something between her and footballer Lionel Messi – so what did she say and who is she exactly?

11 Jan 2025 - 4:00AM

Fifa

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

Decision underlines the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport, despite concerns over its human rights record.

12 Dec 2024 - 3:04AMvideocam

Fifa

Fifa to name Saudi Arabia as World Cup 2034 hosts, with 2030 held in 6 countries

Fifa is set to formally ratify the decision on Wednesday, as they are the sole remaining bidder.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:24PMvideocam

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing a World Cup 2030 T-shirt, applauds fans during the warmup before a Uefa Nations League match between Portugal and Poland last month. Photo: AP

Fifa

‘Humanising Saudi football’: Netflix show paves way for country to host World Cup

The 6-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff made its debut just 3 weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia as hosts.

10 Dec 2024 - 8:08PM

Fifa

Football’s footprint: a World Cup on 3 continents sparks concerns over climate

A joint bid from Europe, Africa, South America worries environmentalists, who say football’s governing body has a ‘moral responsibility’.

10 Dec 2024 - 3:00PM

English Premier League

Junichi Inamoto, Japan’s first English Premier League player, retires aged 45

The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2001 but made his EPL debut a year later with Fulham after becoming a national hero at the 2002 World Cup.

4 Dec 2024 - 5:00PM

Japanese player Junichi Inamoto celebrates the goal that put his team 2-1 up against Belgium at the 2002 World Cup. The match finished 2-2. Photo: AP

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong women can beat men to Fifa World Cup spot, says football star

Leung Kwun-chung reveals truth behind controversial Asian Cup fall-out, defends brother for missing Hong Kong call amid passport issue.

3 Dec 2024 - 2:59PM

Citizen forward Ho Mui-mei battles for possession during Hong Kong’s victory over Indonesia in July. Photo: Edmond So

Fifa

Fifa dismisses own report advice to pay Qatar World Cup workers’ compensation

Fifa was criticised by Amnesty International for not doing anything for families of migrant workers who died or were exploited.

1 Dec 2024 - 8:01AM

Fifa

Fifa launches 2022 World Cup legacy fund for initiatives with WHO, WTO, UNHCR

Football’s world governing body had announced after the Qatar event it would use its proceeds to help the world’s ‘most vulnerable people’.

28 Nov 2024 - 3:00AM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Fifa rejects CFA life ban on South Korea’s Son, club boss calls China ‘unstable’

Son Jun-ho was detained in China for 10 months ‘on suspicion of accepting bribes’ and was one of 43 people banned.

27 Nov 2024 - 6:30PM

Global life ban imposed on South Korean soccer player Son Jun-ho, (right), by the Chinese Football Association has been rejected by Fifa. Photo: Reuters

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

ATP

‘Felt like a tennis player’: ex-Uruguay, Utd star Forlan debuts in ‘new’ sport

The former Manchester United forward starts professional tennis career by partnering Argentinian Federico Coria in the Uruguay Open.

14 Nov 2024 - 11:00PM

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura to still play next season – at age 58

Widely listed as the oldest active professional football player, the former international aims to play for fourth-tier Japanese club Suzuka.

12 Nov 2024 - 5:54PM

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 World Cup 2026

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

US-China relations

Opinion | Can China football find success in a market-driven US model?

Creating a college sports system in China could fix the country’s struggles in team sports and open new avenues for US-China cooperation.

20 Sep 2024 - 7:47AMvideocam

Art

Johannesburg artist breathes ‘energy and life’ into city’s decayed spaces

Berlin-based artist Robin Rhode is known for transforming abandoned spaces in Johannesburg. He shares why the city keeps calling him back.

17 Sep 2024 - 5:15PM

South African artist Robin Rhode at the Stevenson Gallery in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Saudi Arabia seeks to attract Hong Kong investments for tourist spot Aseer

‘We want to bring the expertise, the know-how that Hong Kong’s businessmen have and transfer that knowledge to our region,’ Sultan Alshehri says.

15 Sep 2024 - 8:20PM

Saudi chief of Aseer Region Development Authority Sultan Al-Shehri (left) says the kingdom is looking to attract Hong Kong investments. Photo: Eugene Lee

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

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The local premier league season has kicked off short of fans, sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, good facilities and exciting players.

7 Sep 2024 - 6:30AM

Podcasts

Is this the best sports podcast ever?

From Bruce Lee to the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury’s yoga school, ESPN’s 30 for 30 makes the deepest of dives into all things sport

13 Aug 2024 - 6:45AM

30 for 30 podcast, nominated for PostMag’s Hall of Fame. Photo: Handout

Icons and Influencers

Will he stay or will he go? Meet England national team manager Gareth Southgate

Tactically conservative yet with clear empathy for his players, how should we feel about England’s most successful manager in decades?

15 Jul 2024 - 5:00PM

Where do Gareth Southgate and England go after their latest heartbreak against Spain in the 2024 Euros final? Photo: @wonderfullyfootbal/Instagram

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

France makes €9bn Olympic gamble, cost to be less than Tokyo, London, even Athens

While it will take time for the final bill to be tallied up, the event is expected to produce 6.7 billion to 11.1 billion euros in economic benefits for the Paris region.

4 Jul 2024 - 3:53PM

Hong Kong police

Exclusive | Hong Kong police to deploy 4,000 officers on July 1 amid warning over seditious acts

Sources warn that anyone seen wearing seditious clothing on 27th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule could face arrest.

27 Jun 2024 - 9:45PM

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Fifa World Cup

Hangzhou becomes sea of red as China fans brace for decisive World Cup qualifier

China must beat Australia on Tuesday to have any chance of securing automatic qualification to 2026 tournament.

‘Fought bravely’: China boss praises players despite defeat by Saudi Arabia

China’s World Cup hopes take hit in Saudi Arabia after Japan first to qualify

China will fail to qualify for 2026 Fifa World Cup, DeepSeek predicts

The team, who are bottom of their group and face Saudi Arabia, have only a 2.6 per cent chance of finishing in the top two, it says.

Who is Sofi Martínez – and is she secretly dating footballer Lionel Messi?

Argentine sports journalist Sofi Martínez has decided to speak publicly about the rumour there’s something between her and footballer Lionel Messi – so what did she say and who is she exactly?

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

Decision underlines the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport, despite concerns over its human rights record.

Fifa to name Saudi Arabia as World Cup 2034 hosts, with 2030 held in 6 countries

Fifa is set to formally ratify the decision on Wednesday, as they are the sole remaining bidder.

‘Humanising Saudi football’: Netflix show paves way for country to host World Cup

The 6-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff made its debut just 3 weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia as hosts.

Football’s footprint: a World Cup on 3 continents sparks concerns over climate

A joint bid from Europe, Africa, South America worries environmentalists, who say football’s governing body has a ‘moral responsibility’.

Junichi Inamoto, Japan’s first English Premier League player, retires aged 45

The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2001 but made his EPL debut a year later with Fulham after becoming a national hero at the 2002 World Cup.

Hong Kong women can beat men to Fifa World Cup spot, says football star

Leung Kwun-chung reveals truth behind controversial Asian Cup fall-out, defends brother for missing Hong Kong call amid passport issue.

Fifa dismisses own report advice to pay Qatar World Cup workers’ compensation

Fifa was criticised by Amnesty International for not doing anything for families of migrant workers who died or were exploited.

Fifa launches 2022 World Cup legacy fund for initiatives with WHO, WTO, UNHCR

Football’s world governing body had announced after the Qatar event it would use its proceeds to help the world’s ‘most vulnerable people’.

Fifa rejects CFA life ban on South Korea’s Son, club boss calls China ‘unstable’

Son Jun-ho was detained in China for 10 months ‘on suspicion of accepting bribes’ and was one of 43 people banned.

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.

‘Felt like a tennis player’: ex-Uruguay, Utd star Forlan debuts in ‘new’ sport

The former Manchester United forward starts professional tennis career by partnering Argentinian Federico Coria in the Uruguay Open.

Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura to still play next season – at age 58

Widely listed as the oldest active professional football player, the former international aims to play for fourth-tier Japanese club Suzuka.

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.

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.

Opinion | Can China football find success in a market-driven US model?

Creating a college sports system in China could fix the country’s struggles in team sports and open new avenues for US-China cooperation.

Johannesburg artist breathes ‘energy and life’ into city’s decayed spaces

Berlin-based artist Robin Rhode is known for transforming abandoned spaces in Johannesburg. He shares why the city keeps calling him back.

Saudi Arabia seeks to attract Hong Kong investments for tourist spot Aseer

‘We want to bring the expertise, the know-how that Hong Kong’s businessmen have and transfer that knowledge to our region,’ Sultan Alshehri says.

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.

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The local premier league season has kicked off short of fans, sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, good facilities and exciting players.

Is this the best sports podcast ever?

From Bruce Lee to the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury’s yoga school, ESPN’s 30 for 30 makes the deepest of dives into all things sport

Will he stay or will he go? Meet England national team manager Gareth Southgate

Tactically conservative yet with clear empathy for his players, how should we feel about England’s most successful manager in decades?

France makes €9bn Olympic gamble, cost to be less than Tokyo, London, even Athens

While it will take time for the final bill to be tallied up, the event is expected to produce 6.7 billion to 11.1 billion euros in economic benefits for the Paris region.

Exclusive | Hong Kong police to deploy 4,000 officers on July 1 amid warning over seditious acts

Sources warn that anyone seen wearing seditious clothing on 27th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule could face arrest.

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