Japan display talent and ambition to scale new heights at World Cup
Japan have never gone beyond the last 16 at a World Cup but they have set themselves the ambitious target of winning next year's tournament after dominating in Asian qualifying.
Tags : FIFA World Cup
Tuchel relieved as 'lucky' Bellingham avoids red card
Thomas Tuchel admitted Jude Bellingham was 鈥榣ucky鈥� to escape a red card as England 鈥榮truggled鈥� to secure a 3-0 win against minnows Latvia on Monday.
England sink Latvia to extend Tuchel's winning start
England extended Thomas Tuchel's 100 per cent start to his reign as Reece James' first international goal inspired a 3-0 win against Latvia in Monday's World Cup qualifier.
New Zealand qualify for World Cup but Chris Wood injured
New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia on Monday but lost in-form Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to injury.
Wales open with win, Haaland on target for Norway
Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 on Saturday to start their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a win, while Erling Haaland was among the scorers as Norway swept to a 5-0 victory in Moldova.
Osimhen strikes twice to give Nigeria World Cup boost
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen scored both goals as Nigeria beat Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali on Friday to win for the first time in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Tuchel era off to winning World Cup start, Poland beat Lithuania
Thomas Tuchel made a winning start to life as England coach with a 2-0 victory against Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday, while Robert Lewandowski handed Poland a narrow win over Lithuania.
Argentina on brink after Almada strike sinks Uruguay
Argentina edged to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Friday after a superb strike from Thiago Almada earned them a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo.
'Relieved' Japan first team to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo gave them a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday.
Messi out injured as Argentina seek to seal World Cup place
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's World Cup qualifiers this month after suffering a groin strain in Inter Miami's victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club confirmed on Monday.
Injured Neymar out of Brazil World Cup qualifiers
Brazil star Neymar was on Friday ruled out of upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after a thigh injury scuppered his recall to the national team.
Neymar back for Brazil after 16-month absence for World Cup qualifiers
Neymar was on Thursday recalled by coach Dorival Junior to the Brazil team after almost a year and a half out injured for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
England to face Serbia in 2026 World Cup qualifying
England were placed in a group with Serbia as the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe took place on Friday.
A World Cup on three continents sparks climate concerns
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will send dozens of football teams and hordes of fans crisscrossing the globe for matches on three continents, sparking alarm over the environmental cost.
Argentina beat Peru as Uruguay hold Brazil
A magnificent volley from Lautaro Martinez was enough to give world champions Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru while Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Uruguay in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Kane hoping to extend England career beyond 2026 World Cup
England captain Harry Kane says he is performing at his highest ever level as he dismissed suggestions the 2026 World Cup should be his international swansong.
Argentina fall in Paraguay, Brazil held in Venezuela
World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America's big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
The 鈥榳orld order鈥� of football is shifting, Brazil's coach Dorival Junior said ahead of a World Cup qualifier Thursday against Venezuela.
Late drama as Saudis hold Australia in World Cup qualifier
Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in extra-time as they ground out a scoreless draw against Australia on Thursday, a result that did neither side any favours in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Italy's 1990 World Cup icon Schillaci dies aged 59
Former Italy striker Salvatore 鈥楾oto鈥� Schillaci, most famous for being top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, died on Wednesday at the age of 59.
Mitoma, Endo score as Japan thrash China 7-0
Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo both scored as Japan thrashed China 7-0 on Thursday to start the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers with a statement win.
Bahrain stun 10-man Australia in World Cup qualifier
Bahrain stunned Australia 1-0 away on Thursday thanks to an 89th-minute Harry Souttar own goal in a major upset to start the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Injured Messi absent from Argentina squad for qualifiers
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia through injury, with Paulo Dybala recalled to coach Lionel Scaloni's squad on Monday.
Fifteen stadiums, five cities in Saudi 2034 World Cup bid
Saudi Arabia, the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup, will host the 48-team tournament in fifteen stadiums across five cities, including eight in the capital, state media said on Wednesday.
Yet another futile campaign for Bangladesh
Bangladesh national football team ended yet another futile FIFA World Cup Qualifiers round-2 campaign when they suffered a crushing 0-4 defeat at the hands of Lebanon in their final Group I match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Tuesday night...
Bangladesh look to end on a high
Bangladesh will be looking to end on a high when they take on upper-ranked Lebanon in their final Group I FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 joint qualifiers...
Cabrera & Co leave for Qatar
Bangladesh national football team left for Qatar on Friday to take part in their final Group I FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 joint qualifiers...
Bangladesh eye better show against Socceroos
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera hoped that his charges would provide an improved performance than the first-leg when they would take on mighty Australia in the Group I return-leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 joint qualifiers at the Kings Arena in the city today...
Tariq, Morsalin return as Zico dropped
Tariq Kazi and Shekh Morsalin returned to the Bangladesh squad while goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico was dropped as Bangladesh national football team coach...
Maradona family bid to block 1986 World Cup 'Golden Ball' trophy sale
Diego Maradona's heirs have taken legal action in France to block the controversial sale of the Argentine football legend's 'Golden Ball' trophy from the 1986 Mexico World Cup.