FIFA apologizes to Ukraine soccer body for Crimea map error at 2026 World Cup draw

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA apologized to the Ukrainian soccer federation for displaying a map during its World Cup qualifying draw that excluded Russia-occupied Crimea from the country’s territory. “We fully understand the delicate sensitivity of this matter and while the incident was...

Saudi Arabia's plans to host the men's World Cup 2034 will be harmful for the climate, experts say

As the newly-named host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, Saudi Arabia says it will construct or renovate 15 stadiums, create a futuristic city and expand airports in a massive buildout to accommodate millions of athletes, coaches and spectators. That will emit tons of...

2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says

LONDON (AP) — Soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” during the tournament that does not reflect real life there, a Saudi rights activist warned on Thursday. After FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday, the...

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns

ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only...

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly?

ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament as well as the 2030 World Cup, which will be...

FIFA names Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco as co-hosts of the 2030 tournament

World Cup hosting decisions set to kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi Arabia and FIFA

GENEVA (AP) — The inevitable result has been clear since last year: Saudi Arabia will be confirmed by FIFA as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. The 2030 World Cup also will be awarded to a six-nation, three-continent project led by co-hosts Spain, Portugal Morocco. It gives a...

Pinheiro Braathen performs snow samba to celebrate Brazil's first podium in a World Cup ski race

It’s not just soccer anymore. Brazil is finding World Cup success in skiing now, too. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen became the first Brazilian skier to finish on a World Cup podium when he placed second in a giant slalom in Beaver Creek, Colorado, on Sunday. Pinheiro...

Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues

GENEVA (AP) — Two days before FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged Monday to try to ensure migrant labor standards are “properly respected” around the tournament. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate and...

FIFA gives Club World Cup new opening day for Messi, Inter Miami. MetLife also gets both semifinals

ZURICH (AP) — The 2025 Club World Cup will now kick off one day earlier with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami opening the monthlong tournament on June 14, and ending with a week of games at MetLife Stadium near New York. FIFA published the 63-game schedule Saturday for the first...