Trends - FIFA World Cup 2026

INTERVIEW: Asia’s football chief says winter scheduling for 2034 World Cup will be ideal

With the World Cup set to come back to Asia just 12 years after Qatar, Sheikh Salman believes the continent could well become the location of choice for the football showpiece.

Updated 07 Nov, 2025 10:50am

FIFA announce new peace prize to be awarded at World Cup draw in Washington

Recipient of inaugural award not revealed but there was immediate speculation that it could go to US President Trump.

Published 06 Nov, 2025 01:26pm

Messi eyes 2026 World Cup despite age and fitness concerns

Says will assess himself on a day-to-day basis when he start preseason next year with Inter Miami.

Published 28 Oct, 2025 12:12pm

UK government in talks to reverse ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa

Club says Safety Advisory Group informed that no away fans would be permitted at Europa League match on November 6.

Updated 17 Oct, 2025 05:34pm

Nepal ask FIFA to overturn Malaysia defeat because of player bans

Last month, FIFA banned seven Malaysian foreign-born players for a year, saying they had submitted forged ancestry documents.

Published 16 Oct, 2025 03:52pm

Coach Lopetegui heralds history makers Qatar after sealing FIFA World Cup qualification

Iraq coach Graham Arnold criticises format after Iraq miss automatic World Cup qualification.

Published 15 Oct, 2025 04:35pm

African group qualifiers finish as last three teams book FIFA World Cup berths

South Africa top Group C to book their first World Cup appearance since hosting 2010 finals.

Published 15 Oct, 2025 02:45pm

Trump says FIFA chief would back moving World Cup games for security reasons

Comments come day after he met close friend Gianni Infantino in Egypt at a summit on a Gaza ceasefire.

Updated 15 Oct, 2025 01:52pm

France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup

France are three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month.

Published 14 Oct, 2025 01:08pm

Hundreds attend pro-Palestine protest as Norway move closer to World Cup with Israel thrashing

The comfortable win in Oslo leaves Norway firmly in control of the group as they seek a place at next year’s finals.

Published 12 Oct, 2025 04:06pm

Solano satisfied as Pakistan end losing streak despite Otis’ penalty miss

Both teams now head to Kuwait where Afghanistan will host Pakistan for the return fixture.

Updated 10 Oct, 2025 02:52pm

Defeat in Jakarta prompted Saudi changes, says coach Renard

Meanwhile, Oman hold hosts Qatar in drab World Cup qualifying stalemate.

Published 09 Oct, 2025 06:00pm

Otis pays penalty as Pakistan held by Afghanistan

The draw means Pakistan and Afghanistan both got off the mark in Group 'E’, and they trail joint-leaders Syria and Myanmar by five points.

Published 09 Oct, 2025 04:29pm

Pro-Palestinian protest threat racks up tension for Italy’s World Cup qualifier with Israel

Italy was the scene of some of Europe’s biggest pro-Palestinian protests last weekend, as Israeli forces continue their offensive in Gaza.

Published 09 Oct, 2025 02:04pm

Pakistan eye first Asian Cup qualifying victory against late-to-arrive Afghanistan

Afghanistan will take to the pitch without having held a single training session in the host country.

Updated 09 Oct, 2025 07:45am

England, Portugal, Norway closing in on 2026 World Cup

Norway may be only one victory away from reaching the tournament for the first time since 1998.

Published 09 Oct, 2025 07:17am