News

Focus: Group J

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group J

Paris: Holders Argentina arrive at the FIFA World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title.

Only two teams – Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 – have won back-to-back FIFA World Cup crowns, underscoring the difficulty of the task facing Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Yet while history suggests the odds are stacked against the 2022 champions, there are grounds for believing that Argentina are more than capable of completing a rare double.

Focus: Group I

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group I

Paris: Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France arrive at this FIFA World Cup as one of the leading contenders, but the planet's top-ranked team face stiff tests against Senegal and Norway in Group I, which also features outsiders Iraq.

Les Bleus have won the FIFA World Cup twice and lost two further finals on penalties in the last seven editions, including last time in Qatar when they were beaten by Argentina in a shoot-out after Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in an epic contest.

Popovic says Australia can 'punch above weight' after Swiss draw

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Popovic says Australia can 'punch above weight' after Swiss draw

San Diego: Australia head coach Tony Popovic said he was confident his side could "punch above our weight" at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a battling 1-1 draw with Switzerland in an international friendly on Saturday.

Dan Ndoye opened the scoring for the Swiss in the 14th minute before Australia debutant Tete Yengi levelled in the second half. It was the final warm-up for both sides for the FIFA World Cup, which begins on Thursday.

Qatar held by El Salvador

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Qatar held by El Salvador

Los Angeles: Qatar were held to a goalless draw by El Salvador in an international friendly ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

Qatar controlled the possession but could not find a way past the El Salvador defence.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/video/fifa-world-cup-2026-match-officials-adham-makhadme-1

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Mergoa: India turned on the power to defeat defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final on Saturday.

Ritu Porna Chakma cancelled out Pyari Xaxa’s first-half opener before India regained control in the second half with goals from Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom to seal the win.

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Ma Ning – AFC Referee

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Ma Ning – AFC Referee

Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 match officials are set to represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Ahead of their campaign on the world’s grandest stage, the-AFC.com caught up with the officials who will be blowing the whistle in the 2026 edition of the global showpiece.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/video/fifa-world-cup-2026-match-officials-ma-ning

Focus: Group G

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group G

Paris: Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Belgium stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois head into Group G at the FIFA World Cup 2026 knowing this summer's tournament will likely be their last chance for glory on football's biggest stage.

Their respective countries have been drawn together into the same pool, alongside New Zealand and Islamic Republic of Iran.

Focus: Group H

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group H

London: Spain's FIFA World Cup preparations have been beset by fitness concerns, including to star winger Lamine Yamal, as Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa faces a challenge to his authority before aiming to shock the European champions in Group H.

Barcelona's Yamal could reportedly miss Spain's opening two games against tournament debutants Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia due to the hamstring injury he suffered in April.

The 18-year-old is not the only injury worry for Luis de la Fuente with several of the key members of his Euro 2024-winning squad experiencing disrupted seasons.

Saudi Arabia power past Puerto Rico

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Saudi Arabia power past Puerto Rico

Austin: Saudi Arabia cruised to a 3-0 win against Puerto Rico in a weather-disrupted international friendly on Friday.

Preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the win was head coach Georgios Donis' first following a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador last week.

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Abdullah Al Shehri – AFC Video Match Official

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Abdullah Al Shehri – AFC Video Match Official

Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 match officials are set to represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Ahead of their campaign on the world’s grandest stage, the-AFC.com caught up with the officials who will be blowing the whistle in the 2026 edition of the global showpiece.