Latest FIFA World Cup News

De la Fuente under pressure early as Spain’s new coach

Mar. 29, 2023 06:09 AM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Two games in, and the Luis de la Fuente era in Spain is already being questioned. A lackluster win and a disappointing loss were enough to put the new coach under the spotlight. Spain needed two late goals in a hard-fought 3-0 win over Norway to open...

Indonesia's stance on Israel overshadows world soccer event

Mar. 28, 2023 23:38 PM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia could lose its chance to host a global youth soccer tournament, and its chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after refusing to welcome a team from Israel. FIFA canceled an important preparatory step after regional governors and protesters...

NWSL's Carson Pickett embraces being a role model

Mar. 24, 2023 13:38 PM EDT

There was a time earlier in her soccer career when Carson Pickett didn't want to draw attention to her left arm or even talk about it. She just wanted to be like all the other players. Pickett has since become more comfortable with what makes her both unique and a role model for...

Messi mania grips Argentina in 1st match as World Cup champs

Mar. 23, 2023 23:14 PM EDT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Messi mania gripped Buenos Aires as the Argentina national team led by Lionel Messi beat Panama 2-0 on Thursday in a friendly match that was essentially a celebration of their World Cup victory last December. Although the world champions dominated the...

FIFA sets May 2024 date to pick 2027 Women's World Cup host

Mar. 23, 2023 16:31 PM EDT

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA set a timeline Thursday to pick the 2027 Women’s World Cup host, giving would-be candidates one month to join the contest ahead of a vote in May next year. Brazil, South Africa and a co-hosting project by Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have previously...

NWSL season is last for Gotham defender Ali Krieger

Mar. 23, 2023 09:44 AM EDT

While Ali Krieger has no idea what the next chapter of her life will look like, for now she's just looking forward to some downtime after a professional soccer career that has stretched for some 16 years. First, though, she's going to finish out a final season with Gotham in the...

Portland Thorns open new NWSL season looking to defend title

Mar. 22, 2023 16:58 PM EDT

PORTLAND THORNS 2022 RECORD AND FINISH: 10-3-9, won the NWSL title over the Kansas City Current. COACH: Mike Norris. KEY PLAYERS: Sophia Smith, Christine Sinclair, Crystal Dunn. OUTLOOK: The Thorns defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 to...

Messi mania in Argentina as soccer star mobbed at restaurant

Mar. 21, 2023 18:30 PM EDT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A steakhouse in the trendy Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo was mobbed by hundreds of frenzied soccer fans late Monday night when word spread that Lionel Messi was inside having dinner. People rushed to the exclusive Don Julio restaurant eager to...

Europe's top teams get ready to start Euro 2024 qualifying

Mar. 21, 2023 10:05 AM EDT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Three months after the World Cup ended, qualifying for the next European Championship starts this week with several of the biggest teams looking to rebound. France came within a penalty shootout of winning back-to-back World Cup titles, losing to...

Qatar: 4,000 World Cup huts sent to quake-hit Turkey, Syria

Mar. 20, 2023 12:06 PM EDT

Qatar has sent 4,000 cabins built to house fans at last year's World Cup to earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria, authorities said Monday. The Associated Press watched as the latest batch of pre-fabricated cabins was loaded onto a cargo ship in the Persian Gulf. The Qatar...