FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center, prepares to present the trophy to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal midfielder Salman Al-Faraj, left, after winning the AFC Champions League final soccer match against South Korea's Pohang Steelers 2-0, at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
FIFA touts billions to be gained from biennial World Cups

By Rob Harris And Graham Dunbar Dec. 20, 2021 10:36 AM EST

Protesters hold Tibetan flags during a protest against Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics by activists of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (Jean-Guy Python/Keystone via AP)
Olympic leaders criticize FIFA as activists target meeting

By Graham Dunbar Dec. 11, 2021 10:12 AM EST

Sam Mewis traded to Kansas City from North Carolina

By The Associated Press Nov. 30, 2021 04:49 PM EST
The Kansas City Current have acquired midfielder Sam Mewis from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for defender Kiki Pickett and a first-round pick in the...

United States players celebrate a goal by Andi Sullivan (25) including, left to right, Mallory Pugh, Carli Lloyd, Sophia Smith (27) and Lindsey Horan against South Korea in the first half of a soccer friendly match Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
US women's team in Australia with 2023 World Cup in mind

By Dennis Passa Nov. 25, 2021 07:16 PM EST

United States' forward Carli Lloyd is honored before a soccer friendly match against South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Carli Lloyd plays final match for US in rout of South Korea

Oct. 26, 2021 10:18 PM EDT

South Korea's Yeo Minji, left, and United States' Carli Lloyd, right, react at the conclusion of an international friendly soccer match in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. The match ended with no score. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
After decorated career, Lloyd will savor final game with US

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 25, 2021 05:23 PM EDT

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, smiles after receiving the shirt of the Venezuelan soccer team with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro, right, during his visit at Miraflores Presidential Palace in in Caracas, Venezuela , Friday , Oct 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Infantino says biennial WCups can bring youth back to soccer

By Rob Harris Oct. 20, 2021 08:25 AM EDT

El presidente de la FIFA, Gianni Infantino, sonríe luego que el mandatario venezolano Nicolás Maduro le obsequia una camiseta de la selección, el viernes 15 de octubre de 2021, en Caracas. (AP Foto/Ariana Cubillos)
Quitting FIFA mulled in Europe to fight biennial World Cups

By Rob Harris Oct. 19, 2021 05:56 PM EDT

Wolfsburg's Dominique Janssen, center left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Women's Champions League group A soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Servette FC Chenois at AOK Stadion in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Swen Pf'rtner/dpa via AP)
Ellis says biennial Women's World Cup can help grow the game

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 18, 2021 03:22 PM EDT

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, smiles after receiving the shirt of the Venezuelan soccer team with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro, right, during his visit at Miraflores Presidential Palace in in Caracas, Venezuela , Friday , Oct 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
IOC voices Olympic concern at FIFA's biennial World Cup plan

By Graham Dunbar Oct. 16, 2021 03:31 PM EDT

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

U.S. midfielder Catrina Macario (19) and Paraguay midfielder Fanny Godoy (10) vie for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carli Lloyd scores 5 goals, US women rout Paraguay 9-0

Sep. 16, 2021 09:48 PM EDT

Sarina Wiegman is unveiled as the new England Women head coach at Wembley Stadium, London, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Setting out on her vision as England manager, Sarina Wiegman was sure of one thing — the Women's World Cup should remain every four years. “The Euros are great, the World Cup is great, the Olympics are great so that is three tournaments," she said, pitchside at Webmley Stadium on Thursday. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
New England coach Wiegman against biennial Women's World Cup

By Rob Harris Sep. 09, 2021 01:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday Nov. 27, 2020 file photo, United States' Tobin Heath plays the ball during their international friendly women's soccer match against The Netherlands at the Rat Verlegh stadium in Breda, Netherlands. United States international Tobin Heath is staying in English soccer. The 33-year-old forward has signed for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. She played at Manchester United last season. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP, file)
US forward Tobin Heath staying in English soccer at Arsenal

Sep. 03, 2021 09:08 AM EDT

Canada national soccer team members celebrate after winning the women's final gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
CONCACAF heralds more competition opportunities for women

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 19, 2021 06:35 PM EDT

United States' Carli Lloyd celebrates scoring her side's 4th goal against Australia in the women's bronze medal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Kashima, Japon. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
US forward Carli Lloyd retiring after decorated career

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 16, 2021 01:44 PM EDT

Team United States forward Megan Rapinoe, left, congratulates Team Canada's forward Christine Sinclair (12) after their semifinal soccer match at the Tokyo Olympics in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2020. Canada won 1-0. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
US women dissect the Olympics while Canada celebrates gold

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 07, 2021 07:19 AM EDT

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, greets Argentina's Angel Di Maria at the award ceremony after his team won 1-0 against Brazil in the Copa America final soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Every year could soon have World Cup on Infantino's travels

By Rob Harris Aug. 05, 2021 10:01 AM EDT

United States' Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring her side's second goal against Australia during the women's bronze medal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
US women earn bronze medal with 4-3 win over Australia

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 05, 2021 06:08 AM EDT

United States' Alex Morgan, left, and Australia's Tameka Yallop battle for the ball during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Australia faces US in bid for 1st women's soccer medal

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 04, 2021 06:48 AM EDT