FIFA
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

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a Politburo meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
IOC suspends NKorea from Beijing Olympics for Tokyo no-show

By Graham Dunbar Sep. 08, 2021 01:49 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, First Vice President of the International Swimming Federation, FINA, Husain Al Musallam, during the FINA World Aquatics Gala in Budapest, Hungary. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show two senior Olympic officials from Kuwait have been targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice for suspected racketeering and bribery related to FIFA and international soccer politics. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah is reputed to be the “kingmaker” of IOC elections. Husain al-Musallam is president of swimming’s international governing body. The documents include details of the DOJ investigation and a formal request to Kuwaiti authorities in 2017 for help to secure evidence. (Attila Kovacs/MTI via AP, File)
Documents show US investigation of 2 Kuwaitis in FIFA case

By Graham Dunbar Sep. 02, 2021 11:43 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

Brazil's Richarlison reacts after missing chance to score during a men's quarterfinal soccer match against Egypt at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Where's Neymar? Olympic selections with clubs, not countries

By Rob Harris Aug. 01, 2021 07:28 AM EDT

Britain's players pose for a team photo prior during a women's soccer match against Chile at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
EXPLAINER: The Olympic soccer team that doesn't quite exist

By Rob Harris Jul. 24, 2021 09:59 PM EDT

Noah Lyles competes in the second semi-final of the men's 100-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. In first notable demonstration of the track trials, Lyles made a subtle gesture, wearing a black glove — minus the fingers on his left hand, and raising his fist when he was introduced before the race. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Long-banned athlete protest acts expected at Tokyo Olympics

By Graham Dunbar Jul. 20, 2021 11:02 AM EDT

Brazil's Richarlison kicks a ball during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match against Chile at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Brazil calls striker Richarlison into Olympic soccer team

By Mauricio Savarese Jul. 03, 2021 12:25 AM EDT

FIFA confirms roster changes for Olympic soccer

By Rob Harris And Anne M. Peterson Jul. 01, 2021 07:48 PM EDT
FIFA has confirmed that Olympic soccer rosters can include 22 players, but only 18 can be available for individual matches. Traditionally,...

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. ...

England's Raheem Sterling, left, celebrates with England's Mason Mount after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between England and Croatia at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, June 13, 2021. (Glyn Kirk/Pool Photo via AP)
English clubs get extra week off as World Cup backlog clears

Jun. 16, 2021 07:30 AM EDT

Chelsea players celebrate with the Women's Super League trophy at Kingsmeadow, London, Sunday, May 9, 2021. Chelsea retained the Women’s Super League title and became the all-time record champion in the English game by beating Manchester City to first place. Chelsea was a 5-0 winner at home to Reading and finished two points ahead of City. (John Walton/PA via AP)
FIFA survey: 70% of women’s soccer clubs operate at a loss

By Anne M. Peterson May. 26, 2021 01:19 PM EDT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts after a missed scoring opportunity during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, May 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
FIFA head aims to rethink soccer competitions and schedule

By Graham Dunbar May. 21, 2021 03:06 PM EDT

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 45th UEFA Congress in Montreux, Switzerland, Tuesday April 20, 2021. In a speech that seemed to blame the club owners and absolve players, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he can only "strongly disapprove" of the Super League. "If some elect to go their own way, then they must live with the consequences of their choice," Infantino said. "They are responsible for their choice." (Richard Juilliart/UEFA via AP)
Saudis put World Cup every 2 years back on FIFA's agenda

By Graham Dunbar May. 18, 2021 03:59 PM EDT

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, right, is replaced by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Liverpool at the Elland Road stadium in Leeds, England, Monday, April 19, 2021. (Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)
African World Cup qualifying groups postponed to September

May. 06, 2021 05:40 AM EDT

United States' players react at the bench during a Concacaf Men's Olympic qualifying championship semi-final soccer match against Honduras in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Olympic failures show structural issues for US Soccer, MLS

By Ronald Blum Mar. 29, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

Referee Cunyet Cakir watches VAR during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla FC in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool)
Pandemic blamed for lack of VAR after Ronaldo's complaints

By Rob Harris Mar. 28, 2021 12:23 PM EDT

FILE - This Thursday, Dec. 18, 2020 file photo shows a general view of the Al Rayyan stadium during the opening ceremony in Al Rayyan, Qatar. A look at the state of play in Qatar's preparations for the 2022 World Cup amid ongoing criticism of the host nation as qualifying in Europe begins. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed, file)
EXPLAINER: Qatar prepares for World Cup amid rights concerns

By Rob Harris Mar. 23, 2021 06:30 PM EDT

Revenue on track, reserves down in FIFA virus-era accounts

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 19, 2021 02:54 PM EDT
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA expects to hit its four-year revenue target of $6.44 billion up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite the coronavirus pandemic. ...