World Cup football

Everybody’s talking about Italy – former players, journalists, butchers and grocers

Italy's Gianluca Mancini, Pio Esposito, Marco Palestra, Leonardo Spinazzola and Federico Gatti looking dejected after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia, on March 31, 2026.

Italy’s football chief resigns after World Cup disaster

Italian football federation president Gabriele Gravina has quit, after the men’s national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time.

No price hike for World Cup subscription as fees stay at $98 and $118

ST20221205-202237217335-Lim Yaohui-Deepanraj Ganesan-Dgsoc05/
Japanese fans watching the match as Japan take on Croatia in the 2022 World Cup round of 16 match during a screening at SG TAPS bar in Duxton Hill on Dec 6, 2022. Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Ailing Italy at new low after missing out on yet another World Cup

Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma reacting after the 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. The match ended 1-1 after extra time.

Spanish police open probe into anti-Muslim chants at Egypt friendly match

The authorities appealed to fans more than once over the public announcement system to refrain from making offensive comments.

Japan high on confidence ahead of World Cup after beating England 1-0

Kaoru Mitoma trying to evade the attentions of England's Kobbie Mainoo (right) and Cole Palmer during the 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley on March 31, 2026, in London.

World Cup risks being ‘stage for repression’: Amnesty International

Police officers, including mounted police, stand guard near posters of missing people as relatives of victims of forced disappearance protest outside Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

US thrashed 5-2 by Belgium in reality check for World Cup hosts

The thrashing comes as a wake-up call just 75 days before the tournament for the Americans.

Thomas Tuchel plays down Harry Maguire’s World Cup hopes

England defender Harry Maguire running with the ball during the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in west London on March 27, 2026.

Defiant Senegal display Afcon trophy before beating Peru in pre-World Cup friendly

Senegal's Moussa Niakhate holding aloft the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their World Cup friendly against Peru on March 28.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Personal Data Protection Notice

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.