China's World Cup absence and Quad tensions: June 2026 global relations
In June 2026, the South China Morning Post highlighted some major stories in international relations. Even though China is one of the largest football markets worldwide, its fans traveled to North America for the World Cup, rallying behind stars like Ronaldo and Messi since their national team wasn't competing. Meanwhile, a US attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman led to the deaths of three Indian sailors, straining US-India relations and raising concerns about the Quad's focus on critical minerals to counter China's power. Moreover, a poll in Japan and South Korea showed that while strategic leaders are skeptical about nuclear arms, support could rise if one country takes the lead.
Key facts
- Chinese fans traveled to North America for the World Cup despite China not having a team.
- China is one of the world's largest football markets but its presence is confined to stands.
- A US strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian sailors.
- The strike undercut US-India relations and cast doubt on Quad unity.
- The Quad aims to loosen China's grip on critical minerals.
- A survey in Japan and South Korea showed elites skeptical about nuclear weapons.
- Support for nuclear weapons could rise rapidly if one country takes the lead.
- The stories are from SCMP's overseas correspondents in June 2026.
Entities
Institutions
- South China Morning Post
- Quad
Locations
- China
- North America
- United States
- India
- Gulf of Oman
- Japan
- South Korea