2022 FIFA World Cup
FILE - China's fan holds national flag before the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Iran and China at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. China withdrew as host of soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
China cites pandemic and withdraws as host of 2023 Asian Cup

May. 14, 2022 03:56 AM EDT

Hertha fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
UEFA decides Euro 2024 opener in Munich and final in Berlin

May. 10, 2022 11:27 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 Poland's Robert Lewandowski controls the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Poland and England, at the Narodowy stadium in Warsaw, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Poland is refusing to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish soccer federation president said Saturday, Feb, 26, 2022. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, the nation's all-time leading scorer, immediately responded to say it's the “right decision!” (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)
England vs Poland 9/8/2021

Feb. 26, 2022 11:46 AM EST

CONCACAF's W Championship to qualify 4 teams for World Cup

Feb. 14, 2022 07:51 PM EST
MIAMI (AP) — CONCACAF's new W Championship tournament to determine four of the region's teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup will be held this July in Monterrey,...

FILE - FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the Confederation of African Football general assembly in Cairo, Egypt, July 18, 2019. Infantino has linked his plan for biennial World Cups to giving more hope to African people who currently risk their lives crossing the sea to Europe. Infantino's comments were in a speech to European lawmakers in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, file)
Olympic members unite against Infantino's World Cup plan

By Graham Dunbar Feb. 02, 2022 10:27 PM 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 01:10 PM EST

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

Spain's Aymeric Laporte, left, comforts Spain's Pedri 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

Brazil's Neymar reacts during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Brazil vs Paraguay 6/8/2021

Jun. 09, 2021 03:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 file photo, a view shows the Al Janoub Stadium, one of the 2022 World Cup stadiums, in Doha, Qatar. The 2022 World Cup will open with four games every day in a 12-day group stage and some matches that go into extra time will extend past midnight in Qatar. FIFA on Wednesday July 15, 2020 released the match schedule for the first World Cup to be played across November-December. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
AP Interview: Qatar plans 'normal' World Cup after vaccines

By Rob Harris Dec. 06, 2020 04:11 PM EST

Tottenham's Son Heung-min, center, scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (Oli Scarff/Pool via AP)
Asian nations ready to ease back into international football

By John Duerden Oct. 07, 2020 11:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, construction underway at the Lusail Stadium, one of the 2022 World Cup stadiums, in Lusail, Qatar. The gas-rich Persian Gulf nation Monday July 27, 2020, Qatar has expressed an interest in hosting the world’s biggest sporting events, the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in a letter to the International Olympic Committee.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, FILE)
Qatar interested in bidding for 2032 Olympics, Paralympics

By Rob Harris Jul. 27, 2020 06:18 AM EDT

Qatar, Saudi Arabia compete to host 2030 Asian Games

Apr. 23, 2020 06:58 AM EDT
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AP) — Regional rivals Qatar and Saudi Arabia will compete to host the 2030 Asian Games. The capital cities of Doha and...