Tag - 2026-fifa-world-cup

 
 

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

SOCCER
Mar 25, 2025
Partey time for Ghana as World Cup dream draws nearer
The team has 15 points from six games in Group I, five ahead of second-placed Madagascar.
Saudi fans cheer during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C match between Saudi Arabia and China in Riyadh on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 25, 2025
Renard expecting no letup from Japan as Saudis eye World Cup spot
The Saudis picked up their first win in five qualifiers when they beat China 1-0 at home last week.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media in Inglewood, California, on March 20.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2025
Mauricio Pochettino says U.S. has time to get on track before World Cup
Pochettino, who was appointed last year after the ill-fated second reign of Gregg Berhalter, is confident that his side will be in much better shape by the 2026 World Cup.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu gives a speech after his team clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup with a win over Bahrain on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 23, 2025
Japan's quiet World Cup celebrations show it is hungry for much more
Samurai Blue celebrated its qualification for the World Cup with victory speeches and a water shower for coach Hajime Moriyasu. But this squad has much bigger aims.
Japan's Takefusa Kubo celebrates after scoring against Bahrain during their World Cup qualifier in Saitama on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 21, 2025
Samurai Blue becomes first nation to secure World Cup berth
It will be Japan's eighth straight World Cup appearance.
Wataru Endo speaks during a news conference in Paris earlier this month.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 20, 2025
Endo says Japan won't be satisfied just to reach World Cup
Samurai Blue have been dominant in qualifying and can book their spot at the 2026 finals if they beat Bahrain in Saitama.
Hidemasa Morita (right) celebrates scoring Japan’s fourth goal against Bahrain with Kaoru Mitoma (center) on Sep. 10, 2024.
SOCCER
Mar 18, 2025
Japan set to seal World Cup spot as Son aims to forget Spurs woes
Japan will seal its spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, it beats Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday.
Al Hilal's Neymar warms up before an Asian Champions League match in October.
SOCCER
Jan 8, 2025
Neymar hints at reunion in Miami with Messi and Suarez
Neymar has played only seven times for Al-Hilal since moving from PSG for a reported fee of €90 million in 2023, with injuries keeping the Brazilian sidelined.
FIFA's headquarters in Zurich
SOCCER
Nov 30, 2024
Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid gets higher score than U.S., Canada and Mexico
The higher score came despite the fact the Middle East nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.
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.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan