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Japan change training sites over conditions

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Japan change training sites over conditions

Monterrey: Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad had to twice change their training pitches in Mexico because of the poor condition of the fields, Japanese media said, in a turbulent start to preparations.

Hajime Moriyasu's side initially earmarked a practice pitch belonging to Tigres UANL in Monterrey after landing in Mexico this week.

But the condition was poor after recent bad weather and the team switched to a field reserved for Japan's under-19 team, the Sports Hochi newspaper said.

Focus: Group E

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group E

Paris: Four-time champions Germany head to North America seeking to break their more recent FIFA World Cup hoodoo after failing to make it out of the group stage at the last two editions.

Since Mario Goetze's extra-time winner at the Maracana in the 2014 final, perennial FIFA World Cup contenders Germany have had a miserable time on football's biggest stage.

Focus: Group F

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group F

Paris: Sweden are hoping a strikeforce featuring Premier League stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres can fire them through a tricky FIFA World Cup Group F, after they scraped into the tournament without winning a single group game in qualifying.

Graham Potter's side will take on the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in North America, bidding to extend their run of reaching the knockout phase at each of the past four FIFA World Cups they have qualified for.

Iraq hold Spain; IR Iran ease past Mali

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Iraq hold Spain; IR Iran ease past Mali

Kuala Lumpur: Iraq fought back to hold European champions Spain to a 1-1 draw while Islamic Republic of Iran cruised 2-0 past Mali in international friendlies ahead of their respective FIFA World Cup 2026 opening fixtures.

Graham Arnold's Iraq face Norway in their Group I opener, while IR Iran begin their Group G campaign against New Zealand.

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Ilgiz Tantashev – AFC Referee

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Ilgiz Tantashev – 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.

Lee’s stunning free-kick lifts Korea Republic past El Salvador

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Lee’s stunning free-kick lifts Korea Republic past El Salvador

Provo: Korea Republic wrapped up their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a narrow 1-0 victory over El Salvador in Provo, Utah on Thursday.

The victory follows last week's emphatic 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, giving Hong Myung-bo's side a confidence booster ahead of their Group A opener against Czechia.

Focus: Group C

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group C

London: Brazil's credentials to end a 24-year wait to be world champions will be tested from the off as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and a Scotland side seeking a historic breakthrough pose threats to the Selecao.

After consistent failure when faced with stern European opposition in the knockout stages, Brazil have turned to the coach who has won more Champions League titles than anyone else in Italian Carlo Ancelotti to deliver a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey.

Focus: Group D

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group D

Los Angeles: The United States head into Group D of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with everything to prove after a turbulent build-up marked by an unconvincing run of form that saw them comfortably beaten by elite European opposition in two of three of their most recent friendlies.

A 5-2 thrashing by Belgium in March was followed by a clinical 2-0 defeat to Portugal, giving US head coach Mauricio Pochettino a sobering reality check as he attempts to plot a deep run in the tournament. A 3-2 win against Senegal on Sunday, however, would have brought some cheer.

The Squads: Facts & Stats

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

The Squads: Facts & Stats

Kuala Lumpur: From the best-represented clubs, to the oldest and youngest players, to the smallest and tallest players and FIFA World Cup returnees feature.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 squads now finalised and revealed, we're taking a deeper look into what the numbers are saying.

Asian Moments: 2022

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

Asian Moments: 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was a celebration in more ways than one as the global showpiece returned to the continent after a gap of 20 years.

It proved to be a stunning affair as not only did Qatar excel as hosts, the six Asian sides - a record representation for the continent - all stamped their mark on the competition.

Focus: Group A

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group A

Paris: If history is any guide, co-hosts Mexico will kick off the FIFA World Cup 2026 with every reason to be confident of comfortably advancing into the knockout rounds from Group A.

Mexico, the only country to host three World Cups, reached the quarter-finals on the two previous occasions the tournament was played on home soil, in 1970 and 1986.

The co-hosts get the tournament under way against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 before later group stage games against Korea Republic and Czechia.

Focus: Group B

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group B

Paris: After a decade-long march up the FIFA World Rankings, co-hosts Canada are hoping to crown their rise by claiming a piece of FIFA World Cup history in Group B - a first ever win.

In two previous appearances at the FIFA World Cup - the 1986 edition in Mexico and the 2022 tournament in Qatar - Canada have a perfect record of six defeats from six matches.

The co-hosts are aiming to buck that trend in a first round group that includes Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland.