Messi back in Argentina's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi will return to Argentina's national team for the South American World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia. The 37-year-old star had missed recent matches because of an ankle injury. Coach Lionel Scaloni...

2025 Club World Cup final to be at MetLife Stadium, site of 2026 World Cup final

NEW YORK (AP) — Next year’s championship of the expanded Club World Cup will be played on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, site of the 2026 World Cup final. Twelve stadiums will be used for the 32-team tournament, FIFA said Saturday night, including five...

FIFA suspends Argentina goalkeeper for 2 matches in World Cup qualifying

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina's soccer association (AFA) said on Friday that FIFA suspended goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for two matches of South American World Cup qualifying in October. The decision rules out the 32-year-old from official games in the round-robin competition...

Phone deal for visiting fans at 2026 World Cup part of Verizon sponsor pact with FIFA

GENEVA (AP) — Soccer fans arriving in North America for the 2026 World Cup have been promised help with their cell phone coverage from Verizon as part of a sponsor deal with FIFA announced on Tuesday. The New York-based technology provider said FIFA expected three million...

Graham Arnold resigns as head coach of the Australian men's soccer team

SYDNEY (AP) — Graham Arnold has resigned as head coach of the Australian men's soccer team after six years in charge and following two recent poor performances by the Socceroos in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Soccer Australia said Friday that Arnold advised them earlier this week of...

Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci, the Italy striker who was top scorer at its home World Cup in 1990, dies at 59

Mauricio Pochettino hired to succeed Gregg Berhalter as US men's national team coach

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was hired Tuesday to succeed Gregg Berhalter as U.S. men’s national team coach, 21 months before the Americans host the 2026 World Cup. A 52-year-old Argentine, Pochettino became the 10th U.S. coach in 14 years and its first...

Mauricio Pochettino hired as U.S. men’s national team soccer coach 21 months before 2026 World Cup

Rodrygo scores and Brazil beats Ecuador 1-0 in South American World Cup qualifying

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Real Madrid star Rodrygo scored a goal in the first half and Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Friday end a three-match losing streak in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The 23-year-old Rodrygo scored with a shot from outside the box that was...

Chinese soccer appears to be getting worse despite President Xi's pledge to make it better

TOKYO (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping is reported to be a big soccer fan, and he promised in a 2015 document to resuscitate the men's national team, damaged by abysmal results on the global stage and widespread corruption in local leagues. He cannot be happy. ...