UEFA vice-president Gabriele Gravina looks on ahead of the start of the 50th UEFA Ordinary Congress in Brussels on February 12, 2026.

Italy's sport minister asks football chief to step down after World Cup disaster

The Azzurri fell at the play-offs again, this time after a penalty shoot-out against Bosnia and Hercegovina on Tuesday, and will miss this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

15 hours ago

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'The World Cup curse,' Italy in tears after missing out for third straight time

"The World Cup curse," said the front page of Italy's main daily Corriere della Sera, calling for a rebuilding of a movement that produced some of the game's greatest players but has won just one match at the finals since lifting the trophy in 2006. ...

1 day ago

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Infantino says Iran will play World Cup matches in US

The Iranian FA (FFIRI)has been pushing to relocate the team's three World Cup group matches from the US to Mexico, citing the American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked the current regional war. ...

1 day ago

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Indonesia's men soccer team head coach John Herdman (right) instructs on March 27, 2026, defender Kevin Diks during the 2026 FIFA Series match at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) main stadium in Central Jakarta.

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Herdman makes national team debut with victory in friendly

The 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis in the 2026 FIFA Series competition in Jakarta became the first game and win for English coach John Herdman, who was appointed to helm the national men’s soccer team in January.

3 days ago

Como 1907 supporters cheer during the Italian Serie A football match in this file photo taken during in Torino on Feb. 21, 2026. Como's fans on Sunday paid tribute to the club's late billionaire co-owner Michael Bambang Hartono, who died aged 86 on March 19, 2026.

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Como eyes Champions League berth after 'thumping' tribute to deceased Hartono

Before kick-off in Como a minute's silence, during which fans broke out into applause, was held for deceased billionaire co-owner Michael Bambang Hartono, who died at the age of 86 on Thursday.

1 week ago

Cameron Young of the United States holds the trophy aloft following his victory during the final round of The Players Championship 2026 on March 15 at The Players Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the United States.

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No need for a major label, The Players Championship stands on its own

The Players, which began on March 12, certainly boasts the strongest field of any tournament albeit some missing LIV Golf stars, and offers the richest prize purse for an individual competition.

2 weeks ago

World soccer body FIFA president Gianni Infantino (right) presents United States President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, the United States on Dec. 5, 2025.

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Infantino says Trump welcomes Iran's World Cup participation

Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta, deepening questions over whether the country's soccer team will compete on US soil this summer amid an escalating regional war.

3 weeks ago

Voices for change: (From second left) Komnas Perempuan commissioner Sri Agustini, Indonesian women’s futsal legend Novita Murni Piranti, Inspire Indonesia women’s program director Sicilia Setiawan and Freddy Brunt, deputy development director and development management unit head at British Embassy Jakarta, share their perspectives on March 6, 2026 during the community discussion Breaking Barriers, Building Futures at the British Embassy in South Jakarta.

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Breaking barriers for women in soccer

Women soccer players in Indonesia continue to battle stigma, harassment and unequal support as they fight for recognition in a male-dominated sport.

3 weeks ago

Janice Tjen laughs with her coaches on the sidelines of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 18, 2026.

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Janice Tjen finding her footing in second year on WTA Tour

The breakthrough tennis player, who has put Indonesia back on the women's pro circuit map, appears to be taking a grounded approach to her second year on WTA Tour, balancing experience and enjoyment as she builds her career, one tournament at a time.

4 weeks ago

New boss: Englishman John Herdman, the newly appointed head coach of Indonesia’s national soccer team, answers journalists’ questions during a press conference in Jakarta on Jan. 13, 2026.

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With ASEAN Cup looming, coach Herdman begins Indonesia rebuild

New coach sees Southeast Asia’s premier tournament as a proving ground for depth and belief, as Indonesia faces unexpected exclusion from the 2026 Asian Games.

1 month ago

Raja Sapta Oktohari (left), chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Indonesia, speaks to reporters in Jakarta on Feb. 20, 2026, as Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir looks on.

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Indonesia risks 2026 Asian Games soccer exclusion

NOC Indonesia prepares protest over 16-team grading system that may sideline Indonesia from soccer at the quadrennial Games.

1 month ago

Santos' soccer player Neymar walks inside the Estadio Urbano Caldeira Stadium in Santos, Brazil during a Brasileiro Championship match between Santos and Sao Paulo on Feb. 4, 2026.

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Neymar says he may retire by end of 2026

Neymar has been struggling with injuries in recent seasons and remains doubtful for participation at the World Cup this year.

1 month ago

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FIFA and Board of Peace to support Gaza reconstruction through football

The Board of Peace, established under the US President Donald Trump, held its first meeting focused o Gaza's reconstruction fund, aimed at rebuilding the territory once Hamas disarms.

1 month ago

Venerable Hosan, head monk of Bongsunsa Temple, poses for a photo with his snowboard during an interview at the temple in Namyangju, South Korea on Feb. 12, 2026. A Buddhist monk has drawn international attention after South Korea won landmark Olympic snowboard medals in Italy, capping more than two decades of his support for young athletes in a sport long unpopular at home.

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Snowboarding monk in spotlight after South Korea's Olympic glory

Venerable Hosan, head monk of Bongsunsa Temple and himself a rider, launched a youth competition more than 20 years ago whose alumni bagged three Olympic snowboard medals this month in Italy.

1 month ago

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WAAP highlights depth of women’s amateur golf in Asia-Pacific

From Jeeno Thitikul’s rise to a new generation of contenders, the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship is shaping pathways for Asia-Pacific’s top young golfers.

1 month ago

Indonesian senior men’s futsal team players and officials pose with supporters after winning the runner-up title at the finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Feb. 7, 2026. Indonesia lost 5-4 in a penalty shootout against defending champion Iran in the final.

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Indonesia wins ‘historic’ runner-up title at Asian futsal cup

Iran defeated Indonesia in a 5-4 penalty shootout at the final match of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, securing the Middle Eastern country’s 14th title in the biennial tournament.

1 month ago

Iraq's defender #06 Ali Adnan fights for the ball with Indonesia's defender #05 Rizky Ridho during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group D football match between Indonesia and Iraq at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on January 15, 2024.

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Australia, Japan interested in hosting 2035 Asian Cup, says AFC

The AFC is expected to confirm hosts for both the quadrennial continental showpieces at a single annual congress following a proposal by its President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

1 month ago

Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Senegal and Egypt at the Grand stadium in Tangiers on January 14, 2026.

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Senegal coach banned, fined over Cup of Nations final fracas

CAF also fined Senegal's federation $615,000 due to the team's conduct and the behaviour of their fans, while players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were suspended for two CAF games for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

2 months ago

A member of the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) executive committee, Kamarudin Hassan, gestures as he leaves after resigning at the FAM's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on January 28, 2026. The Malaysian soccer association's entire executive committee resigned on January 28, due to an ongoing eligibility scandal linked to forged documents used in Asian Cup qualifying games.

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Top Malaysian soccer officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

The move follows FIFA's probe last year into the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) over its inclusion of "heritage players" in the national team -- foreign-born athletes accused of falsely claiming Malaysian ancestry.

2 months ago

New coach, new hope: New Indonesia national team coach John Herdman displays a team jersey on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, during his introduction event in Jakarta. The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially appointed Herdman as the national team coach, citing his international coaching experience and track record in building national and club teams as part of efforts to boost the competitiveness of Indonesian soccer.

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New head coach Herdman calls on Indonesia to harness past disappointments

Indonesia reached the fourth round of Asia's qualifiers for the first time last year with a squad built largely from players born overseas, and Herdman said that the experience will provide a platform for the team to improve.

2 months ago

China's Li Haotong plays a shot on day four of the DP World Tour Championship 2025 at on Nov. 16, 2025, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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A tale of two shooting stars as Li and Kim eye magical 2026

Two of Asia’s brightest talents enter 2026 from opposite directions, with China’s Li Haotong resurgent and South Korea’s Tom Kim searching for his way back.

2 months ago

Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts after the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on January 11, 2026.

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How Xabi Alonso's dream Real Madrid return crumbled so quickly

The former midfield maestro was expected to overhaul Madrid's game with a cerebral and tactically adroit approach, but his team flattered to deceive.

2 months ago

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes reacts to their defeat on the pitch after the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 11, 2026.

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'Fragile' Manchester United hit new low with FA Cup exit

Managerless, out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle for the first time since 1981-82 and sitting a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, United have rarely been at a lower ebb in their history.

2 months ago

John Herdman, then head coach of Toronto FC, speaks at a press conference during a MLS media day event at the Miami Convention Center on Jan. 11, 2024, in Miami, Florida, the United States.

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Hope, scrutiny surround Herdman’s appointment as Indonesia coach

A non-technical issue casts a shadow over Herdman’s reputation, following his links to a disciplinary controversy involving the alleged use of drones to spy on opponents during his time with Canada.

2 months ago

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Former Canada coach Herdman named Indonesia's soccer head coach

The first games for John Herdman, who led Canada's national men and women's soccer team to World Cups, in charge will be in March when Indonesia host the FIFA Series in Jakarta.

2 months ago

The sons of Liverpool's late Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, Dinis and Duarte and other family members take part in pre-game activities to honor the player who represented both Wolves and Liverpool in the Premier League, ahead of kick-off in the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Dec. 27, 2025. Father of three Jota died alongside his brother after a Lamborghini they were travelling in came off the road and burst into flames in northern Spain in July.

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From Diogo Jota to George Foreman, sporting deaths in 2025

Remembering the sports greats who passed away this year.

3 months ago

Sports

Bianca Laksono set for WAAP debut as Indonesia seeks breakthrough

The country’s sole representative is looking to gain experience at the premier Asia-Pacific women’s amateur golf event in February next year.

3 months ago

A general view shows the Olympic rings on the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, which will host the curling, wheelchair curling and Paralympic closing ceremony during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026, in Cortina, Italy, Jan. 25, 2025.

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Pressure builds on Milano Cortina organizers amid climate concerns and funding issues

Growing concern over climate pressure, escalating costs and the waste of Olympic infrastructure after the Games is strengthening support within international sport for a rotation system.

3 months ago

Golden girls: Indonesian women’s doubles tennis players Janice Tjen (left) and Aldila Sutjiadi pose with their gold medals on Dec. 19, 2025, after the award ceremony for the 2025 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games women’s doubles final at the National Tennis Development Center in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Bangkok. Aldila and Janice won after defeating Thailand’s Peangtarn Plipuech and Mananchaya Sawangkaew 2-0 (6-2, 6-1).

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Indonesia finishes second, exceeds expectations at SEA Games

Indonesia capped off the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand as the tournament’s runner-up, surpassing expectations set by the government and marking a historic away feat unseen since the 1990s.

3 months ago