2018 FIFA World Cup
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

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 - Russian President Vladimir Putin touches the World Cup trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino stands beside him, at the end of the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. In a sweeping move to isolate and condemn Russia after invading Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee urged sports bodies on Monday to exclude the country's athletes and officials from international events. The decision opened the way for FIFA, the governing body of soccer, to exclude Russia from a World Cup qualifying playoff match on March 24. Poland has refused to play the scheduled game against Russia.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
Croatia vs France 7/15/2018

Feb. 28, 2022 12:12 PM EST

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

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. ...

France names Thauvin, Gignac to Olympic squad

Jun. 25, 2021 11:25 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — France named World Cup winner Florian Thauvin and veteran striker André-Pierre Gignac to its Olympic soccer team on Friday. ...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 file photo the Henri Delaunay Trophy is displayed on the stage at the Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland. France won the last major international soccer tournament — the World Cup in 2018 — by defending compactly, hitting teams on the break with clinical finishing, and being effective at set pieces. What will the winning approach be at the European Championship? (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
EURO 2020: Capsules for teams at the European Championship

By The Associated Press Jun. 04, 2021 11:54 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)
US men lose to Honduras, miss 3rd straight Olympic soccer

By The Associated Press Mar. 28, 2021 08:08 PM EDT

Mexico's Johan Vasquez (5) and United States' Sebastian Soto fight for the ball during a Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying championship soccer match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
US plays Honduras for berth in men's Olympic soccer in Japan

By The Associated Press Mar. 27, 2021 06:20 PM EDT

Chelsea's Christian Pulisic, right, in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton at the Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, March 8, 2021. (John Sibley/Pool via AP)
Pulisic confident at Chelsea, hopes for Olympic appearance

By Ronald Blum Mar. 24, 2021 04:25 PM EDT

Stung by failures, US starts Olympic men's soccer qualifying

By The Associated Press Mar. 17, 2021 06:35 PM EDT
Stung by failures to qualify for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. men start the delayed path toward this summer’s Tokyo Games soccer...

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Orlando City midfielder Andrés Perea makes a penalty kick during overtime of an MLS soccer playoff match against New York City FC in Orlando, Fla. Perea is among several dual nationals at American training camp this week ahead of a Dec. 9 exhibition against El Salvador in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter will try to persuade them to commit to the U.S. program. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Andrés Perea approved for switch to US from Colombia by FIFA

By Ronald Blum Jan. 12, 2021 04:58 PM EST