Samurai Blue players celebrate after Wataru Endo's opening goal of the team's World Cup qualifying win over China on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 6, 2024
Japan hammers China as next round of World Cup qualifying begins
Japan was in blistering form as Samurai Blue handed out an embarrassing defeat to an out-classed China.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu announces his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, on Aug. 29 in the city of Chiba.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 4, 2024
Japan favored in next World Cup qualifying stage, but history gives pause
At this stage, the Samurai Blue lost 1-0 at home to Oman three years ago and also went down 2-1 to the UAE in front of their own fans ahead of the 2018 tournament.
A foreign laborer works at a construction site amid scorching heat in Riyadh in 2022.
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 28, 2024
Saudi Arabia's World Cup bid renews fears for migrants' welfare
Foreign laborers who dealt with harsh conditions in Saudi Arabia are warning about a pending construction boom for stadiums for the 2034 World Cup.
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament final football match between Argentina and Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida, on July 14.
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 20, 2024
Injured Messi left out of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers squad
Argentina captain Lionel Messi sustained an ankle injury during last month's Copa America final in the United States.
Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny tries to save a shot during his team's loss to Thailand in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday in Bangkok.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 14, 2024
Chinese soccer fans send money to Singapore goalkeeper for heroics
The keeper became a hero for China after his saves during Singapore's match at Thailand helped China squeeze into the next qualifying round.
South Korea's Son Heung-min (right) fights for the ball with China's Yang Zexiang during a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday in Seoul.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 12, 2024
China keeps World Cup qualifying hopes alive despite South Korea defeat
Japan, meanwhile, cruised past Syria as it completed its dominance of Group B.
Saudi Arabia fans cheer on the national team during a World Cup qualifying match in Riyadh on March 21.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 27, 2024
Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi Arabia sizes up 'huge challenge'
As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA.

Longform

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