Latest FIFA World Cup News
Box owners at Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium refuse to release their seats for the 2026 World Cup
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Roberto Ruano has a luxury box at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium where he and his family can watch soccer games and other events in privacy and comfort. He’s not planning to give that up for the 2026 World Cup. When the stadium is handed over to...
Maradona's World Cup Golden Ball trophy had mysteriously disappeared. It will be auctioned in Paris
Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy from the 1986 World Cup has resurfaced. The award, which had been missing for decades, will be auctioned in Paris next month, the Aguttes house said Tuesday. Maradona, who died in 2020 at age 60, was awarded the trophy for his scintillating play...
César Luis Menotti, coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title in 1978, dies at 85
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — César Luis Menotti, the charismatic coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title in 1978, has died, the Argentine Football Association said Sunday. He was 85. “Goodbye, dear Flaco!” the association's statement added, using Menotti’s...
Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro gets 1st Serie A coaching job at Udinese
UDINE, Italy (AP) — Fabio Cannavaro, captain of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup, was given his first Serie A coaching job on Monday at relegation-threatened Udinese. Cannavaro becomes Udinese’s third coach this season. He replaces the fired Gabriele Cioffi, who had...
Palestinian soccer renews call for sanctions against Israel at FIFA congress amid Hamas conflict
GENEVA (AP) — Calls for action against Israel in international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas will be stepped up by Palestinian officials at the annual FIFA congress next month. The Palestine Football Association proposal to 211 member federations in Thailand calls for...
Pulisic and McKennie face each other as rivals in Italy before joining forces again for US
Weston McKennie thought back to when he first met Christian Pulisic, a pair of 13-year-olds on a bus from a hotel to training camp in Carson, California. “I used to sit behind him. I used to squirt empty air with a little bit of water into his ear,” McKennie said. “I was scared...
Player whipped by fan during confrontation after Saudi Super Cup final
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A fan at the Saudi Super Cup final lashed an Al-Ittihad player with a whip during a confrontation moments after the match Thursday night. The incident occurred following Al-Ittihad's 4-1 loss to Al-Hilal in the final played at Abu Dhabi’s...
CONCACAF Nations League final twice stopped because of homophobic chants in pro-Mexican crowd
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The U.S.-Mexico CONCACAF Nations League final match was suspended in the late stages for the second straight year because of homophobic chants by pro-Mexican fans. Canadian referee Drew Fischer stopped play in the 88th minute of the United States' 2-0...
Major League Soccer players seldom used when full US national team gathers
Just five of 110 starting positions on the U.S. national team have been filled with Major League Soccer players for the 10 matches the full pool has been available since the 2022 World Cup, including two of 66 since Gregg Berhalter returned as coach. There are two MLS players on the...
Japan prepares to host and then travel to North Korea for back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifiers
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....
