Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play his side's opening matches at next year's World Cup after FIFA suspended the final two games of a three-match ban on Tuesday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/11/26/soccer/world-cup/ronaldo-fifa-suspended-ban/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #worldcup #cristianoronaldo #portugal #fifa #2026worldcup
Scotland scored two dramatic stoppage-time goals to beat 10-man Denmark 4-2 on a night of twists and turns on Tuesday, booking its place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/11/19/soccer/scotland-qualifies-world-cup/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #scotland #2026worldcup #denmark #andyrobertson #steveclarke
Mexico City's iconic street vendors see not only opportunity but dangers in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/11/07/soccer/world-cup-mexico-street-food-vendors/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #2026worldcup #food #mexico #fifa
Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/28/soccer/messi-2026-world-cup/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #lionelmessi #argentina #majorleaguesoccer #intermiami #2026worldcup
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