FIFA is weighing up the introduction of new refereeing technologies and stricter timekeeping rules at the 2026 World Cup as it looks to build on trials conducted at this year's Club World Cup in the United States. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/12/05/soccer/world-cup/world-cup-body-cams/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #worldcup #2026worldcup #pierluigicollina #fifa
England manager Thomas Tuchel said he might keep his substitutes in the dressing room during matches at the 2026 World Cup next summer in an attempt to mitigate the impact of extreme heat. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/12/05/soccer/world-cup/tuchel-world-cup-heat/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #worldcup #2026worldcup #thomastuchel
The National Football League unveiled sweeping new mandatory field standards on Thursday that will require all 32 teams to select from a list of approved surfaces starting in 2026. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/12/05/more-sports/nfl-field-standards-deadline/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #moresports #nfl #2026worldcup
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