FIFA Women's World Cup

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, United States defender Crystal Dunn, who plays for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League, plays during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain, in Harrison, N.J. The NWSL opens its Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday, June 27, 2020, and the pressure is on as the first professional team sport in the United States to play amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

NWSL takes field first as other pro leagues chart futures

Jun. 26, 2020 7:34 PM EDT

The National Women’s Soccer League opens its Challenge Cup tournament Saturday and the pressure is on as it becomes the first professional team sports league to play in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the players aren't as concerned about being first as they are eager to get back on the...

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated in support of Australia and New Zealand's joint bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, in Sydney, Thursday, June 25, 2020. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women's World Cup in 2023, with the following edition possibly set to take place just two years later. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)

Australia, New Zealand to co-host 2023 Women’s World Cup

Jun. 25, 2020 8:35 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women’s World Cup in 2023, with the following edition possibly set to take place just two years later. The joint bid beat Colombia 22-13 in a vote Thursday by FIFA's ruling council, which judged them as having the best commercial prospects for...

FILE - In this Friday, May 24, 2019 file photo, Allie Long, a member of the United States women's national soccer team, speaks to reporters during a media day in New York. Allie Long is likely the only National Women’s Soccer League Player that launched a new career while sheltering at home. Long has been playing video games on Twitch and has built a solid reputation in the gaming world – so much so that she’s been able to raise some serious money for charities, while also educating fellow gamers about women’s soccer.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Allie Long spent lockdown becoming a celebrity gamer

Jun. 25, 2020 8:10 PM EDT

Allie Long is likely the only National Women’s Soccer League player who launched a new career while sheltering at home. Long has been playing video games on Twitch and has built a solid reputation in the gaming world – so much so that she’s been able to raise some serious money for...

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020, file photo, Costa Rica forward Raquel Rodriguez, top, is knocked over by Canada defender Allysha Chapman during the first half of a CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying soccer match in Carson, Calif. Raquel Rodriguez, better known as Rocky to her fans, was in route to join her new National Women’s Soccer League team when sports were shut down by the coronavirus. It certainly wasn’t an ideal start for the Costa Rican striker with the Portland Thorns. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, Fle)

Rodriguez ready despite somewhat strange start with Thorns

Jun. 25, 2020 12:40 AM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Raquel Rodriguez was on her way to join her new National Women’s Soccer League team when sports were suddenly shut down by the coronavirus. It certainly wasn’t an ideal start for the Costa Rican striker with the Portland Thorns. Rodriguez nonetheless bonded —...

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) runs over to take a corner kick during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain, in Harrison, N.J. U.S. national team players Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Christen Press have opted out of the National Women's Soccer League tournament kicking off this weekend in Utah. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

Rapinoe, Press among players opting out of NWSL tournament

Jun. 23, 2020 5:57 PM EDT

U.S. national team players Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Christen Press have opted out of the National Women's Soccer League tournament kicking off this weekend in Utah. Heath and Press, who played with Rapinoe on the champion World Cup team last summer in France, cited concerns about the coronavirus....

FILE - In this June 25, 2019, file photo, Japan players embrace ahead of the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Japan at Roazhon Park, in Rennes, France. The Japan Football Association is expected to pull out of bidding for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, according to a report by Japanese news agency Kyodo on Monday, June 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

Australia-NZ favored for 2023 Women's WCup after Japan quits

Jun. 22, 2020 12:13 PM EDT

Australia and New Zealand became the clear favorites to jointly host the 2023 Women's World Cup after Japan withdrew from bidding ahead of the FIFA vote on Thursday. The combined South Pacific bid performed significantly stronger than its only remaining rival, Colombia, in the FIFA inspection report —...

FIFA ranks Australia-New Zealand as best 2023 World Cup bid

Jun. 10, 2020 7:45 AM EDT

ZURICH (AP) — The Australia and New Zealand joint bid was the highest rated by FIFA on Wednesday of three candidates to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup. FIFA said Australia-New Zealand scored 4.1 points from a maximum five in evaluating its project plan for the first 32-team women's tournament....

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2014 file photo, members of the U.S. Women's National team warm up during practice at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Pro soccer returns to the U.S. next month when the National Women's Soccer League starts a 25-game tournament in a pair of stadiums in Utah that will be kept clear of fans to protect players from the coronavirus. Players from the nine teams will train and live at two Salt Lake City-area hotels, the league announced Wednesday, May 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

NWSL returning to play with summertime tournament in Utah

May. 27, 2020 7:12 PM EDT

Pro soccer returns to the U.S. next month when the National Women's Soccer League starts a 25-game tournament in a pair of stadiums in Utah that will be kept clear of fans to protect players from the coronavirus. Players from the league's nine teams will train and live at two Salt Lake City-area hotels, the...

In an otherwise empty ballpark, a grounds crew member continues to keep the Seattle Mariners' field in playing shape as the ballpark goes into its seventh week without baseball played because of the coronavirus outbreak Monday, May 11, 2020, in Seattle. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Major League Baseball owners have given the go-ahead to making a proposal to the players' union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Latest: Division II league in Calif suspends fall sports

May. 12, 2020 7:17 PM EDT

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The California Collegiate Athletic Association has suspended all fall sports for the upcoming year, the league announced on Tuesday. The NCAA Division II conference currently has 13 members but will lose one with UC San Diego...

FILE - In this Aug.11, 2019 file photo, Alex Morgan arrives at the Teen Choice Awards in Hermosa Beach, Calif. The U.S. national soccer team star has become a mom just in time for Mother’s Day. Morgan announced Saturday, May 9, 2020, on social media that she gave birth to daughter Charlie Elena Carrasco on Thursday, May 7. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Alex Morgan gives birth to girl 3 days before Mother's Day

May. 10, 2020 2:31 PM EDT

U.S. national soccer team star Alex Morgan has become a mom just in time for Mother’s Day. Morgan announced Saturday on social media that she gave birth to daughter Charlie Elena Carrasco at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Charlie weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. “She made us wait longer than expected, but I should...

Latest FIFA Women's World Cup News