Hong Kong face tough World Cup qualifying draw
Hong Kong, China football team have been given literal and figurative mountains to climb if they are to make it to the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with a first round tie against Bhutan to overcome before the prospect of a group stage featuring regional giants Iran and Uzbekistan. Thursday's draw pitted the SAR's men against the Himalayan mountain nation, with the first leg at home on October 12 and the away tie to follow on October 17.  The winners of that tie face Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkemenistan in the first group stage of the 2026 qualifying tournament, with the top two progressing to a further group stage on the long road to the finals, which are scheduled for the United States, Canada and Mexico. China will face South Korea, Thailand and the winners of a tie between Singapore and Guam in their group. Asia has eight guaranteed slots for the finals, with another up for grabs in an intercontinental play-off.  The World Cup qualifying process also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.