2022 FIFA World Cup

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)

Rapinoe's role changing as US preps for World Cup qualifying

By Anne M. Peterson Jul. 03, 2022 03:26 PM EDT

A man walks past the Gazprom Arena, the stadium that was supposed to host the Champions League 2022 final soccer match in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 28, 2022, with a sculpture of one of Bolshevik's leader Sergei Kirov in the foreground. UEFA removed Saint Petersburg as the host of the final due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian crisis. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Sports court sets July dates for Russian soccer ban appeals

By Graham Dunbar Jun. 22, 2022 08:02 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 - China's fan holds national flag before the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Iran and China at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. China withdrew as host of soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

China cites pandemic and withdraws as host of 2023 Asian Cup

May. 14, 2022 03:56 AM EDT

Hertha fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)

UEFA decides Euro 2024 opener in Munich and final in Berlin

May. 10, 2022 11:27 AM EDT

A screen shows support to Ukraine before the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Russia ready again for urgent court case over World Cup ban

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 04, 2022 12:40 AM EST

FILE Poland's Robert Lewandowski controls the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Poland and England, at the Narodowy stadium in Warsaw, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.
Poland is refusing to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish soccer federation president said Saturday, Feb, 26, 2022. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, the nation's all-time leading scorer, immediately responded to say it's the “right decision!” (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)

England vs Poland 9/8/2021

Feb. 26, 2022 11:46 AM EST

CONCACAF's W Championship to qualify 4 teams for World Cup

Feb. 14, 2022 07:51 PM EST
MIAMI (AP) — CONCACAF's new W Championship tournament to determine four of the region's teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup will be held this July in Monterrey,...

FILE - FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the Confederation of African Football general assembly in Cairo, Egypt, July 18, 2019. Infantino has linked his plan for biennial World Cups to giving more hope to African people who currently risk their lives crossing the sea to Europe. Infantino's comments were in a speech to European lawmakers in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, file)

Olympic members unite against Infantino's World Cup plan

By Graham Dunbar Feb. 02, 2022 10:27 PM EST

Italy's Jorginho passes the ball as Switzerland's Remo Freuler closes him down during the World Cup 2022 group C qualifying soccer match between Italy and Switzerland at Rome's Olympic stadium, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Switzerland vs Italy 11/12/2021

Nov. 22, 2021 01:12 PM EST

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 file photo, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin listens to reporter's questions during a press conference at the end of the 43rd UEFA congress in Rome. Ceferin says he has “grave concerns” about FIFA’s plans to stage World Cups every two years and is astonished by the lack of consultation by Gianni Infantino’s governing body. The comments were made in a letter to Football Supporters Europe. Ceferin says he backed the group’s “extremely valid and important” concerns about the damage doubling the frequency of World Cups would cause to domestic and regional competitions. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

UEFA says FIFA snubs request for talks on World Cup concerns

By Rob Harris Sep. 22, 2021 12:05 PM EDT

Spain's manager Luis Enrique , right, comforts Spain's Dani Olmo after the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)

Spain has hopes of a bright future after Euro 2020 campaign

By Tales Azzoni Jul. 07, 2021 09:16 AM EDT

Ecuador's Damian Diaz reacts during a qualifying soccer match against Peru for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Peru won 2-1. (AP Photo/Jose Jacome/Pool via AP)

Peru vs Ecuador 6/8/2021

Jun. 26, 2021 05:16 PM EDT

ARCHIVO - En esta fotografía del 13 de julio de 2014 unos jugadores sostienen el trofeo después de la final de la Copa del Mundo de Río de Janeiro. (AP Foto/Martin Meissner, Archivo)

Ticket sales for 2022 World Cup set to begin in January

By Rob Harris Jun. 22, 2021 08:46 AM EDT

Qatar to require fans at 2022 World Cup to be vaccinated

By Rob Harris Jun. 20, 2021 01:10 PM EDT
Qatar will require spectators at the 2022 World Cup to have received coronavirus vaccines to get into games, the government has announced. ...

Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Colombia at the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Miguel Borja scored an equalizer for Colombia in the last seconds of added time against Argentina in one of the best matches yet in South American qualifying. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Argentina vs Colombia 6/8/2021

Jun. 13, 2021 08:32 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar reacts during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Brazil vs Paraguay 6/8/2021

Jun. 09, 2021 12:32 AM EDT

Brazil's coach Tite looks on prior a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Interim Brazil soccer boss says he won't fire coach Tite

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 07, 2021 06:02 PM EDT

Copa America drama eclipses World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 06, 2021 07:25 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar scores his side's second goal on a penalty kick during a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. Brazil won 2-0. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Ecuador vs Brazil 6/4/2021

Jun. 04, 2021 11:16 PM EDT