World Cup

Read more news and analysis on the Fifa World Cup.

Heimir Hallgrímsson reviewing his squad options in advance of June friendlies

Republic of Ireland manager keen to lessen the load of Championship players following their gruelling league campaign

Wed Apr 30 2025 - 23:00

Kevin Kilbane: Evan Ferguson’s case shows how ruthless the Premier League is

Any underperformance is not tolerated in the most unsentimental league in world sport

Sat Apr 19 2025 - 06:00

The 2026 World Cup, heralded as a uniter, is facing divisive road blocks

US policy towards both of its co-hosts and other participants leave fans and teams in a tough position

Thu Mar 27 2025 - 16:25

In an unhinged world, Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman are sane company. Even Ivan Yates seems sensible

Radio: Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly remain reassuringly sensible presenters, while Ivan Yates plays puckish guest host

Fri Mar 21 2025 - 05:00

Thomas Tuchel says he will not sing England national anthem until he’s earned it

New England manager is mindful of the controversy that his predecessor Lee Carsley got caught up in

Fri Mar 14 2025 - 22:30

Dangerous heat is a real threat for the 2026 World Cup. Are teams ready?

Experts warn that cooling breaks and later kick-off times may be needed to cope with scorching temperatures

Fri Mar 07 2025 - 18:10

Fifa will consider expanding World Cup to 64 teams for 2030 tournament

Idea raised at Fifa council meeting would allow more than a quarter of members qualify

Thu Mar 06 2025 - 18:13

Luis Rubiales trial: Jenni Hermoso tells court she did not agree with kiss at World Cup

Ex-football chief accused of sexual assault and attempting to coerce Hermoso into saying contact consensual

Mon Feb 03 2025 - 11:24

Crystal ball 2025: Our team of pundits make their predictions for the sporting year

What teams will claim All-Ireland honours, can the Republic of Ireland make it out of their World Cup group, how many Irish players will make the Lions and Ryder Cup team teams?

Sat Jan 04 2025 - 06:00

Kevin Kilbane: Hallgrímsson taking the first steps to making Ireland competitive again

Devising a game plan which makes the Republic a nightmare to play against is a task Iceland’s most successful international manager can accomplish

Sat Dec 21 2024 - 06:00

Fans to be banned from drinking alcohol in stadiums at Saudi World Cup

Fifa will not press local government to relax laws, after stadium beer sales were also banned at Qatar 2022

Tue Dec 17 2024 - 09:54

Is there anything good about the 2034 World Cup going to Saudi Arabia?

The magic of a winter World Cup can brighten the darkest days of the season in this part of the world

Sat Dec 14 2024 - 06:00

Ken Early on World Cup draw: Ireland face task to overcome Hungary, their football opposites

If Irish football has been subsisting on the poverty line, Hungarian football has had billions pumped into it

Fri Dec 13 2024 - 22:28

The Irish Times view on Saudi Arabia’s World Cup: sportswashing in the desert

That this decision has happened so easily is a dispiriting sign of the Saudis’ increasing hold over world sport

Fri Dec 13 2024 - 20:00

World Cup 2026 draw: Team-by-team guide to Ireland’s opponents

Ireland face Portugal, Denmark, Hungary and Armenia in their quest to get to the World Cup

Fri Dec 13 2024 - 19:50

Ireland to open World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Hungary

Ireland drawn alongside Portugal or Denmark, Hungary, and Armenia for next year’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Fri Dec 13 2024 - 13:03

Ireland to face Portugal or Denmark, Hungary, Armenia in World Cup 2026 qualifying

Follow the draw from Zürich with the Republic of Ireland in pot 3 for next year’s qualifiers

Fri Dec 13 2024 - 12:14

2026 World Cup draw: Ireland’s path looks complicated, good luck would be welcome

One thing is clear even before Friday’s draw: Heimir Hallgrímsson’s team need to improve to reach the tournament

Thu Dec 12 2024 - 16:16

Saudi Arabia confirmed as host for the 2034 World Cup

News confirms outcome expected for more than a year since Fifa expedited its bidding process for the 2034 event

Wed Dec 11 2024 - 20:39

World Cup 2026 European qualifiers draw: All you need to know about Ireland’s potential group

16 European countries will qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States

Wed Dec 11 2024 - 15:14

European leagues set to oppose any attempt to stage a Saudi World Cup in winter

The Middle East nation is set to be awarded the 2034 finals at an online Fifa Congress on Wednesday

Tue Dec 10 2024 - 19:41

World Cup 2026 draw: Republic of Ireland to be in pot 3 next month

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Republic of Ireland guaranteed to be in one of four-team groups in December 13th draw

Thu Nov 28 2024 - 18:51

Upbeat mood returns for Scotland after Steve Clarke weathers Nations League storm

After losing their first three games Clarke’s side now have realistic hopes of remaining in the top tier

Tue Nov 19 2024 - 16:11

Heimir Hallgrímsson to pick up the pieces after Wembley humbling in World Cup play-off push

Ireland have potential to improve for clash with Nations League C runner-up, as Andrew Moran’s impressive cameo stands out in defeat to England

Mon Nov 18 2024 - 23:00

States of Play: How Sportswashing took over Football by Miguel Delaney - Admirably thorough, depressingly persuasive

Author argues convincingly that soccer’s Faustian bargain with big moneyed interests is undermining its sporting competitiveness and moral integrity

Thu Nov 14 2024 - 04:36

Gianni Infantino to avoid spotlight with 2026 World Cup draw held virtually

Controversy remains over decision to give the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia

Wed Nov 13 2024 - 10:25

Fifa is ‘ignoring human rights report’ into Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid

Lawyers say Fifa is ‘dealing with the devil’ with Saudi bid

Fri Oct 11 2024 - 16:18

Netherlands and Ajax great Johan Neeskens dies aged 73

Midfielder considered one of the best of all-time in his position won three European Cups with Ajax

Mon Oct 07 2024 - 16:47

Totò Schillaci obituary: Striker who shot to global fame in the summer of 1990

Salvatore Schillaci became the unlikely personification of Italy’s notti magiche, or magical nights

Sat Sept 28 2024 - 00:15

LGBTQ fans would be welcome in Saudi Arabia for World Cup, says 2034 bid chief

Hammad Albalawi denied accusations of sportswashing country’s human rights record ahead of football tournament’s hosts announcement this December

Tue Sept 24 2024 - 22:10

Mauricio Pochettino lands in the USA full of hope, but World Cup glory looks a long way off

The Argentinian’s task is to figure out a winning formula for a squad that has continually added up to less than the sum of its parts

Thu Sept 19 2024 - 06:00

Totò Schillaci’s joy was infectious and he was loved in Ireland, despite that goal

Italian striker who scored six goals in Italia 90, including one to knock out Ireland, died at the age of just 59

Wed Sept 18 2024 - 14:51

Former Italy striker Totò Schillaci dies aged 59

Totò Schillaci, an Italian Golden Boot winner, scored the goal that knocked Ireland out of the 1990 World Cup

Wed Sept 18 2024 - 10:41

Global economy headed for ‘soft landing’ after four years of crises, World Bank says

Washington-based institution cautions that better outlook comes with several high-profile risks including possibility of another commodity price shock.

Tue Jun 11 2024 - 14:30