Latest FIFA World Cup News
Boston’s role as World Cup host city highlighted by top sports, political figures
BOSTON (AP) — Top sports officials including New England Patriots owner Jonathan Kraft joined with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and others Thursday to celebrate the state's participation in the 2026 World Cup and to help unveil Boston Soccer 2026's local branding efforts. ...
FIFA's Infantino optimistic about Women's World Cup TV deals in Europe
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although the clock is rapidly dwindling, FIFA President Gianni Infantino seems slightly more optimistic about reaching what he sees as an acceptable deal for the broadcast rights to the upcoming Women's World Cup in five key European countries. While Infantino...
Folarin Balogun opts to play for US instead of England
GENEVA (AP) — Promising striker Folarin Balogun has opted to play for the U.S. national team rather than England. FIFA said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that it approved a request to change Balogun’s national team affiliation from England, which he had...
Shaqiri highest-paid in MLS, salaries rise 3.1% to $473K average
NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri remained Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player this year, and the league’s average salary rose 3.1% to $473,292. Toronto surpassed Atlanta as the team with the highest payroll at $25.7 million followed by the LA Galaxy...
Lionel Messi's father says no deal agreed with a future club
PARIS (AP) — With speculation over Lionel Messi’s potential next destination turning into a frenzy his father intervened Tuesday to say no deal has been agreed over a move to Saudi Arabia or return to Barcelona. Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain runs until the end of...
US fullback Joe Scally growing up fast in German league
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Joe Scally arrived in Germany just after his 18th birthday in the depths of a pandemic lockdown and soon became a regular starter in the German soccer league. The next step is to become a regular with the U.S. national team. After...
Messi the latest pawn in proxy rivalry in Middle East
Lionel Messi was supposed to be training alongside his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on Monday, with his club embroiled in an increasingly fraught French league title race. Instead, the soccer great was in Saudi Arabia, holding a falcon on his arm, watching a palm-weaving...
AP Source: Lionel Messi set to leave PSG at end of season
Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season after two years with the French club, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not...
PSG suspends Messi for unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person would not specify the length of the suspension, though French media reported it...
FIFA warns Europe of Women's World Cup broadcast blackout
GENEVA (AP) — Publicly criticizing broadcasters for offering to pay too little to screen the Women’s World Cup has not worked out yet for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is now threatening a blackout in major European markets. A public standoff started by Infantino last...
