FIFA 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

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

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

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

Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino vies for the ball with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, right, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Luis Enrique names Spain squad with 7 changes from Euro 2020

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 26, 2021 06:27 AM EDT

Brazil's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring the opening goal against Spain during the men's final soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Atlético signs Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Hertha

Aug. 25, 2021 11:09 AM EDT

Brazil's Malcom scores his side's second goal against Spain in the men's soccer final match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
At 38, Alves helps Brazil to soccer gold by beating Spain

By Rob Harris Aug. 07, 2021 10:33 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' Christen Press reacts as Sweden's players celebrate their third goal during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Press says expect a different US team against Netherlands

By Anne M. Peterson Jul. 29, 2021 12:49 PM EDT

Spain's Pedri Gonzalez, left, and Egypt's Taher Mohamed battle for the ball during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/SIlvia Izquierdo)
Now at Olympics, Pedri losing count of games after 11 months

By Rob Harris Jul. 29, 2021 07:47 AM EDT

Netherlands' Shanice van de Sanden, left, celebrates with Jill Roord after scoring a goal during a women's soccer match against China at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Netherlands downs China 8-2, sets up match against US

Jul. 27, 2021 10:10 AM EDT

United States' Megan Rapinoe, right, and Australia's Ellie Carpenter 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)
US advances to quarterfinals after 0-0 draw with Australia

By Anne M. Peterson Jul. 27, 2021 06:05 AM 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

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. ...

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

Brazil's coach Tite, left, gives instructions to his player Vinicius Junior during a Copa America soccer match against Ecuador at Olimpico stadium in Goiania, Brazil, Sunday, June 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Ecuador coach says Brazil's Tite deserves World Cup title

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 27, 2021 10:41 PM 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

FILE - In this Tuesday, June 15, 2021 file photo a view of the Ferenc Puskas stadium before the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Hungary and Portugal in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long used soccer to advance his right-wing politics, and now widespread international criticism of a new Hungarian law that is seen as targeting the LGBT community has turned this month's Euro 2020 tournament into a major stage for his challenge to Europe's liberal values. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh, Pool, File)
Hungary's PM uses soccer to push vision of right-wing Europe

By Justin Spike Jun. 23, 2021 06:42 AM EDT

The Czech Republic squad take part in a team training session at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, June 21, 2021, the day before the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between England and Czech Republic. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)
The Latest: Croatia advances, beats Scotland 3-1

By The Associated Press Jun. 22, 2021 03:03 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