Tag - 2026-fifa-world-cup

 
 

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

Japan's Wataru Endo (center) in action with China's Wenneng Xie and Shangyuan Wang during a 2026 World Cup qualification clash in Xiamen, China, on Tuesday
SOCCER
Nov 20, 2024
Ruthless Japan beats China to move to brink of World Cup qualification
The game was briefly stopped in the first half when a fan invaded the pitch.
China's Lin Liangming (left) and Zhang Yuning (second from left) vie for the ball against Indonesia's Jay Idzes in Qingdao, China, on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 18, 2024
China preparing to host Japan in World Cup qualifier
The strength of China's recovery will be challenged when Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu leads the runaway Group C leader into Xiamen.
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma moves with the ball in front of Indonesia's Kevin Diks during their World Cup qualifier in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER
Nov 17, 2024
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu urges players to maintain focus in World Cup qualifying
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu told his players to maintain their focus on winning one game at a time, having set the lofty target of lifting the World Cup in North America in 2026.
Japan's Koki Ogawa (left) fights for the ball with Indonesia's Rizky Ridho Ramadhan during the 2026 World Cup Asian qualification soccer match at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 16, 2024
Japan hammer Indonesia to edge closer to World Cup spot
Japan defeated a hapless Indonesia side 4-0 on Friday, extending their lead at the top of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu (left) and captain Wataru Endo speak during a news conference before the team's World Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER
Nov 15, 2024
Liverpool's Wataru Endo praises Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu's flexibility
Endo dismissed concerns that his lack of playing time for Liverpool will have a negative impact on his influence for Japan.
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Bolivia during their World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 14, 2024
Paraguayan Football Association bans Lionel Messi shirts before match with Argentina
Paraguayan Football Association manager Fernando Villasboa warned the home crowd to wear only Paraguayan shirts to the match.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu called up Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi for the first time in a year ahead of the team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
SOCCER
Nov 14, 2024
Japan looking to move closer to berth in 2026 World Cup
With the third Asian qualifying round nearing the halfway point, Japan is five points clear at the top of Group C.
Indonesia fans watch a livestream of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification soccer match between China and Indonesia on screens outside the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 13, 2024
Indonesia goes Dutch in pursuit of World Cup dreams
Indonesia is in the decisive third round of Asian qualifying as it attempts to reach the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu prior to a World Cup qualifying match against Australia on Tuesday in Saitama.
SOCCER
Oct 16, 2024
Hajime Moriyasu frustrated after Australia end Japan's winning run
Japan had won all nine of their preliminaries for the 2026 tournament without conceding a goal until Shogo Taniguchi sliced the ball into his own net on Tuesday.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) vies for the ball against Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki during their World Cup qualifying match in Jeddah on Thursday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2024
Japan looks to Australia and beyond after beating Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier
Samurai Blue are five points clear at the top of Group C, with the top two teams securing direct passage to the 2026 World Cup.
Tony Popovic, the newly appointed head coach of Australia's national soccer team, speaks during a news conference in Sydney on Monday.
SOCCER
Sep 24, 2024
New Socceroos coach Popovic confident he can rescue World Cup campaign
Australia's World Cup qualification is hanging in the balance, with a must-win home game against China on Oct. 10 before a tough away clash in Japan.
Japan's Koki Ogawa shoots at the Bahrain goal during a World Cup qualifying match in Riffa, Bahrain, on Tuesday.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 11, 2024
Japan coach slams Bahrain fans after World Cup qualifying rout
Japan won 5-0 in Manama to continue their impressive start to the Asian qualifying third round, following last week's 7-0 home thrashing of China.
Mauricio Pochettino will take over as the head coach of the U.S. men's national team after his abrupt departure from Chelsea earlier this year.
SOCCER
Sep 11, 2024
Mauricio Pochettino appointed as new coach of U.S. national soccer team
The former Chelsea coach replaces American Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign.
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.
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.
North Korean fans watch the World Cup qualifying match between Japan and North Korea on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 22, 2024
North Korea-Japan World Cup qualifier called off over 'unforeseen circumstances'
North Korea appears to have decided not to stage the match in its capital over worries about infectious diseases in Japan.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2024
'Frustration' to drive Japan in North Korea World Cup qualifiers
The pre-tournament favorites and four-time champions exited the Asian Cup in the quarterfinals last month after losing 2-1 to Iran.
Japan fans during the women's team's Olympic qualifier against North Korea in Tokyo last month.
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2024
Japan warns football fans not to go to North Korea for World Cup qualifier
Japan and North Korea play in Tokyo on Thursday as part of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, before the return fixture next week.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?