Latest FIFA World Cup News

Japan prepares to host and then travel to North Korea for back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Mar. 19, 2024 02:29 AM EDT

Even with the top continental ranking and players of vast international experience, Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan squad faces a journey into the unknown in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against North Korea. Asian qualifying resumes Thursday with Japan hosting North Korea in Tokyo....

After layoff of nearly a year, Tyler Adams back with US and hopes to play vs Jamaica

Mar. 18, 2024 17:24 PM EDT

American captain Tyler Adams thinks he can play at least 45 minutes when he returns to the U.S. national team for the first time since the 2022 World Cup for a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Jamaica on Thursday. Adams tore his right hamstring in training with Leeds last...

Sargent, de la Torre injured and will miss US games, replaced by Aaronson and Wright

Mar. 17, 2024 12:46 PM EDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Forward Josh Sargent and midfielder Luca de La Torre will miss the United States' Nations League games because of injuries and were replaced on the roster Sunday by winger Brenden Aaronson and forward Haji Wright. Sargent, who had been picked to return to the...

Tyler Adams returns to US roster after hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly entire year

Mar. 13, 2024 17:47 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Captain Tyler Adams will rejoin the U.S. team for the first time since the World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury and making just his second club appearance in the past year. The 25-year-old midfielder was among 23 players picked Wednesday for the...

Belgium's Euro 2024 alternate jersey is leaked. Is it a tribute to comic-strip hero Tintin?

Mar. 11, 2024 13:33 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Some Belgium soccer players in the European Championship this summer could resemble a world famous reporter. Belgium's Euro 2024 alternate jersey is a tribute to Tintin, the intrepid Belgian reporter and comic-book legend, according to leaks on specialized websites....

Saudi Arabia launches formal bid to host 2034 World Cup in FIFA contest effectively already won

Mar. 01, 2024 12:51 PM EST

Saudi Arabia launched its formal bid campaign Friday to host the 2034 World Cup, in a race that basically became a formality last October when the oil-rich kingdom was the only candidate to enter the contest. The Saudi Arabian soccer federation revealed the bid slogan “Growing....

Saudi Arabian soccer's international ambitions for clubs including Super Leagues aired at conference

Feb. 28, 2024 17:09 PM EST

Saudi Arabia sees placing its soccer clubs in more international games including Super Leagues as key to achieving the kingdom’s ambitions, a leading industry conference was told Wednesday. A debate on the emerging power of Saudi money and influence in world soccer opened the...

Sounders' new training center will house the franchise now. It could host a World Cup team in 2026

Feb. 13, 2024 19:53 PM EST

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — For now, the primary purpose of the Seattle Sounders' training center that opened Tuesday will be to help the team remain among the MLS elite. Looking ahead, it’s likely the new headquarters will be a coveted base camp for one of the participants in the 2026...

Messi vs. Mbappé on the global stage again? Argentina has qualified for the Paris Olympics

Feb. 12, 2024 07:18 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — The stars are starting to align for another Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappé showdown on a global soccer stage to follow their epic World Cup final in 2022. The men’s soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics starts July 24 and Argentina has now joined host France in...

Afif hat trick secures Qatar back-to-back Asian Cup titles after 3-1 win against Jordan

Feb. 10, 2024 12:35 PM EST

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Akram Afif scored a hat trick of penalties to secure back-to-back Asian Cup titles for Qatar in a 3-1 win against Jordan on Saturday. The forward struck in the first half of the final and then twice after the break at Lusail Stadium to finish as the...