Staff Writer, NDNews
NDNews SportTeam is a staff writer at NDNews, covering economy, finance, and sports across the Asia-Pacific.
While China remains absent from the World Cup, the explosive rise of rural amateur football leagues offers Southeast Asian sports operators a masterclass in community-driven monetization.
A 106th-minute strike from substitute Ferran Torres ended Argentina's historic international reign and secured Spain's second FIFA World Cup title in a dominant display.
Ahead of the historic Argentina vs Spain final in New Jersey, UNICEF has verified the authenticity of the iconic 2007 charity calendar image showing Lionel Messi bathing an infant Lamine Yamal.
A landmark victory for the United States Men’s National Team was overshadowed by a polarizing red card against Folarin Balogun, sparking a fierce debate over the systemic inconsistency of video-assisted officiating and its impact on the tournament’s competitive integrity.
Winning every group-stage match may look impressive, but World Cup history tells a different story. Some of football's greatest champions started slowly before dominating the knockout rounds. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its most intense phase, fans are asking a provocative question: are the tournament's quiet starters actually the biggest threat?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage has already delivered dramatic upsets, breakout stars, and shifting momentum. But which teams are now the strongest contenders to win football's biggest prize? Based on current performances, squad depth, tactical consistency, and expert projections, these are the seven nations leading the race.
The FIFA World Cup is no longer just the world's biggest sporting event. It has evolved into a global business ecosystem worth billions of dollars, generating revenue from broadcasting, sponsorships, tourism, hospitality, licensing, and digital media. As the 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams, the commercial impact is expected to reach unprecedented levels.
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is competing in a record-equalling sixth FIFA World Cup. But unlike previous tournaments, the conversation is no longer about goals or records. It is about whether football's most relentless competitor can finally achieve the one trophy that has always eluded him: the FIFA World Cup.
Asian athletes are no longer just competing on the world's biggest stages—they are becoming some of the most valuable personal brands in global sports. From baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani to football icon Son Heung-min, a new generation of athletes is reshaping how sports, business, and media intersect across the Asia-Pacific region.
ND