The 2026 Asian Games in Japan

With the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening on September 19, storylines are emerging across the region. In Hong Kong, 22-year-old footballer Sohgo Ichikawa, born in Japan, is set to face his birth country in the under-23 team's opening match after a standout start to the Hong Kong Premier League season. Officials are bracing for India-Pakistan animosity to spill into the cricket, where the two are kept apart until the medal rounds; India's women refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from the Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani president on Sunday. China has made a late change to its badminton squad as it targets seven golds.

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As it ran

17 September 2026

• Asian Games: when it starts, how to watch, what’s new, where city could win gold South China Morning Post
• North Korea at Japan’s Asian Games: sports diplomacy or propaganda stunt? South China Morning Post

16 September 2026

• Alex Eala firm on Asian Games participation despite threat of WTA fine Al Jazeera

15 September 2026

• China make late change as they target 7 badminton gold medals at Asian Games South China Morning Post

14 September 2026

• Asian Games bracing for India, Pakistan animosity to hit cricket clashes in Japan South China Morning Post

13 September 2026

• Asian Games: meet the footballer with Japanese blood set to fight for Hong Kong South China Morning Post