France National Soccer Team
FILE - Fencers compete in the men's individual semifinal Sabre competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 24, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Four national fencing federations say the International Fencing Federation has voted to allow athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus to resume competing in international events. They have been excluded for more than a year because of the invasion of Ukraine. The decision appears to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete for qualifying spots for next year’s Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Fencing event in France canceled after Russians readmitted

Mar. 31, 2023 02:32 PM EDT

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France vs Argentina 12/18/2022

Dec. 20, 2022 09:52 AM EST

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is beaten by a shot from France's Aurelien Tchouameni for the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and France, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
France vs England 12/10/2022

Dec. 20, 2022 09:52 AM EST

FILE - Denmark's coach Kasper Hjulmand greets fans after the international friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Denmark at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, March 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
Christian Eriksen back with Denmark at World Cup in Qatar

By Mattias Karén Oct. 25, 2022 04:26 AM EDT

FILE - A woman passes by the Olympic rings at the City Hall in Paris, Monday, July 25, 2022. Paris Olympic organizers appointed prize-winning French theater director Thomas Jolly on Wednesday Sept. 21, 2022 to direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Games and Paralympics. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)
French NOC boss starts lawsuit over 'psychological violence'

Oct. 03, 2022 11:21 AM EDT

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)
ITF France 10A, Women Singles

Jul. 03, 2022 03:28 PM EDT

Denmark's Andreas Skov Olsen, left, challenges for the ball with France's Aurelien Tchouameni during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Denmark at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, France, Friday, June 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
Denmark vs France 6/3/2022

Jun. 11, 2022 08:42 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 - 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

FILE - Lamine Diack adjusts his headphones during a joint IOC and IAAF news conference on the site of the World Athletic Championships in Beijing on Aug. 21, 2015. Lamine Diack, the controversial former president of the International Athletics Federation, has died, his family said Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. He was 88. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
Lamine Diack, ex IAAF chief convicted of corruption, dies

By Babacar Dione And Graham Dunbar Dec. 03, 2021 05:19 AM EST

Denmark's Mikkel Hansen, left, and Denmark's Lasse Andersson celebrate after scoring during the men's semifinal handball match between Spain and Denmark at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Hansen's dozen sends Denmark into Olympic handball final

By James Ellingworth Aug. 05, 2021 11:45 AM EDT

Mexico's Luis Romo, right, scores his teams second goal against South Africa during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Argentina, France, Germany eliminated from Olympic soccer

By Rob Harris Jul. 28, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Japan's Ritsu Doan, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during a men's soccer match against Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Japan tops Mexico 2-1, stays perfect in men's Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 10:14 AM EDT

France's Teji Savanier celebrates after scoring a goal during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Teji Savanier's late goal lifts France over South Africa 4-3

Jul. 25, 2021 06:24 AM EDT

Brazil's Richarlison celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Germany during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
From Copa America to Olympics, Richarlison nets 3 for Brazil

By Rob Harris Jul. 22, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Japan's Takefusa Kubo shoots a penalty kick during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Japan opens Olympic men's soccer with 1-0 win over SAfrica

Jul. 22, 2021 09:26 AM EDT

Mexico's Alexis Vega, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Carlos Rodriguez, right, and Diego Lainez during a men's soccer match against France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Mexico opens Olympics with 4-1 victory over France in soccer

Jul. 22, 2021 06:31 AM EDT

Mexico's Erick Aguirre, left, battles France's Clement Michelin for the ball during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
France vs Mexico 7/22/2021

Jul. 22, 2021 05:47 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. ...

Veteran Alves but no Neymar as Brazil eyes soccer gold again

Jul. 02, 2021 01:19 PM EDT
HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: Brazil winning gold lifted the footballing mood of the nation two years after a humiliating, 7-1 loss to Germany at the last major...