Azcárraga steps down as Televisa chief executive amid US soccer investigation

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Emilio Azcárraga has stepped down as chief executive of Televisa because he is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice because of a FIFA-related issue, the company informed in its third quarter report to Mexico’s stock market. The 56-year-old...

Inter Miami going to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is heading to the Club World Cup next year. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Saturday night that Inter Miami will play in the tournament, something that had been long expected given Messi's enormous popularity around the world and...

Mexico is struggling to stamp out a homophobic soccer chant ahead of the World Cup

GUADALAJARA, México (AP) — Guadalajara is the capital of a Mexican state that is home to tequila and Mariachi music. It is also considered the birthplace of a less flattering tradition — a homophobic soccer chant that has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines over the past two...

England hires Thomas Tuchel as coach ahead of 2026 World Cup

Messi's 10th hat trick raises total to 112 international goals as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat trick to raise his career total to 112 goals and also had a pair of assists to lead Argentina over Bolivia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. After missing a pair of October qualifiers while recovering from a...

FIFA president Gianni Infantino tours Seattle ahead of next year's Club World Cup

Seattle's Lumen Field will host six games during next year's Club World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Tuesday. The Seattle Sounders, which earned a spot in the competition by winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, will host all three of their group matches at their...

Peru upsets Uruguay 1-0 and ends winless run in South American World Cup qualifying

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru won its first match in South American World Cup qualifying by beating Uruguay 1-0 on Friday. Miguel Araujo scored the only goal with a header in the 88th minute, and Peru moved out of last place in the South American standings. Peru was winless...

Pochettino era of US soccer begins against Panama, with eyes on 2026 World Cup

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A new era for United States soccer is set to begin, led by an Argentine coach expected to deliver big results at the 2026 World Cup on American soil. Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino makes his U.S. debut in a pair of friendlies, leading...

FIFA urged to put more human rights scrutiny into 2034 World Cup deal with Saudi Arabia

ZURICH (AP) — Two months before FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the soccer body was urged again Friday to allow independent scrutiny of the kingdom’s human rights obligations for the tournament. A group of law and human rights experts plus Saudi...

Iran's World Cup qualifier against Qatar is switched to Dubai after security concerns

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation says an upcoming World Cup qualifying game won't take place in Iran because of escalating tensions in the region. The AFC switched the venue for the Oct. 15 soccer game between Iran and Qatar from the Iranian city of...