Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami which will see the Argentine superstar remain in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/24/soccer/messi-new-contract-2028/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #intermiami #lionelmessi #argentina #majorleaguesoccer #2026worldcup
South Korea must not make the error of showing bigger and more established teams too much respect in next year's World Cup, captain Son Heung-min warned. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/15/soccer/son-world-cup-warning/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #sonheungmin #southkorea #2026worldcup
After a thrilling comeback victory against Brazil, it is hard not to notice that Japan is making a habit of living on the edge against the world’s top teams. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/15/soccer/japan-brazil-reaction/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #samuraiblue #hajimemoriyasu #2026worldcup #brazil #carloancelotti
Harry Kane scored twice as England thrashed Latvia 5-0 on Tuesday to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal was forced to wait to clinch its spot after being held by Hungary. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/15/soccer/england-qualifies-world-cup/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #harrykane #2026worldcup #england #latvia #portugal #spain #italy
Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in their World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equalizer. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/09/soccer/italy-israel-world-cup-qualifier/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #italy #israel #moisekean #manuellocatelli #2026worldcup
FIFA’s reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week’s potentially decisive round of African qualifiers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/02/soccer/south-africa-fifa-points-controversy/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #southafrica #fifa #2026worldcup
The head of Brazil's football federation on Tuesday said he had nixed the much-derided idea of the national team wearing red — the color associated with the ruling leftist party — in the 2026 World Cup. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/08/20/soccer/brazil-nixes-red-jersey/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #brazil #2026worldcup #nike