France National Soccer Team
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France vs Argentina 12/18/2022

Dec. 20, 2022 09:52 AM EST

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is beaten by a shot from France's Aurelien Tchouameni for the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and France, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
France vs England 12/10/2022

Dec. 20, 2022 09:52 AM EST

FILE - Denmark's Simon Kjaer scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the World Cup 2022, group F qualifying soccer match between Moldova and Denmark, at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja, File)
Christian Eriksen back with Denmark at World Cup in Qatar

By Mattias Karén Oct. 25, 2022 04:26 AM EDT

Head of Paris 2024 Olympics Tony Estanguet, center left, President of Greater Paris Metropolis Patrick Ollier, center right, head of the Paris Ile-de-France region, Valerie Pecresse, right, and head of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), Brigitte Henriques, left, attend a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and the Olympics and Paralympics Council, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Benoit Tessier/ Pool Photo via AP)
French NOC boss starts lawsuit over 'psychological violence'

Oct. 03, 2022 11:21 AM EDT

FILE - United States' Megan Rapinoe, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's World Cup final soccer match between the United States and Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, July 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
ITF France 10A, Women Singles

Jul. 03, 2022 03:28 PM EDT

Denmark's Andreas Skov Olsen, left, challenges for the ball with France's Aurelien Tchouameni during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Denmark at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, France, Friday, June 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
Denmark vs France 6/3/2022

Jun. 11, 2022 08:42 AM EDT

Japan team members warm up during an official training session at the National Stadium in Tokyo Sunday, June 5, 2022. Japan national soccer team will play a friendly soccer match against Brazil on June 6. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Brazil faces Japan in friendly with lesser focus on Neymar

By Stephen Wade Jun. 05, 2022 06:50 AM EDT

FILE - Lamine Diack arrives at the Paris courthouse, on Jan. 13, 2020. Lamine Diack, the controversial former president of the International Athletics Federation, has died, his family said Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. He was 88. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Lamine Diack, ex IAAF chief convicted of corruption, dies

By Babacar Dione And Graham Dunbar Dec. 03, 2021 05:19 AM EST

Denmark's Mads Mensah, right, and Johan Hansen celebrate as they won the men's semifinal handball match between Spain and Denmark at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Hansen's dozen sends Denmark into Olympic handball final

By James Ellingworth Aug. 05, 2021 11:45 AM EDT

Mexico's Luis Romo, right, scores his teams second goal against South Africa during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Argentina, France, Germany eliminated from Olympic soccer

By Rob Harris Jul. 28, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Japan's Ritsu Doan is challenged by Mexican players during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Japan tops Mexico 2-1, stays perfect in men's Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 10:14 AM EDT

France's Teji Savanier celebrates after scoring a goal during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Teji Savanier's late goal lifts France over South Africa 4-3

Jul. 25, 2021 06:24 AM EDT

Germany's Amos Pieper blocks Brazil's Richarlison during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
From Copa America to Olympics, Richarlison nets 3 for Brazil

By Rob Harris Jul. 22, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Japan's Ritsu Doan, left, and teammate Reo Hatate, second from left, celebrates a goal from Takefusa Kubo (7) during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Japan opens Olympic men's soccer with 1-0 win over SAfrica

Jul. 22, 2021 09:26 AM EDT

Mexico's Alexis Vega, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Carlos Rodriguez, right, and Diego Lainez during a men's soccer match against France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Mexico opens Olympics with 4-1 victory over France in soccer

Jul. 22, 2021 06:31 AM EDT

Mexico's Erick Aguirre, left, battles France's Clement Michelin for the ball during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
France vs Mexico 7/22/2021

Jul. 22, 2021 05:48 AM EDT

Clash with European season creates Olympic soccer headache

By Rob Harris Jul. 03, 2021 09:23 AM EDT
Often the event that connects an Olympic host city with the rest of the nation, soccer could be a source of trepidation rather than excitement in Japan. ...

Veteran Alves but no Neymar as Brazil eyes soccer gold again

Jul. 02, 2021 01:19 PM EDT
HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: Brazil winning gold lifted the footballing mood of the nation two years after a humiliating, 7-1 loss to Germany at the last major...

France coach Ripoll names 11 new players in Olympic squad

Jul. 02, 2021 10:44 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — Sylvain Ripoll named 11 new players in France's Olympic soccer squad on Friday after resistance from several clubs to the coach's initial...

Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts after the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Germany and Hungary in Munich, Wednesday, June 23, 2021.(Kai Pfaffenbach/Pool via AP)
The Latest: England coach to decide on isolating players

By The Associated Press Jun. 28, 2021 09:55 AM EDT