Sports

Yassine Bounou of Morocco makes a save during the the World Cup quarterfinal between Morocco and Portugal. Goalkeepers have powered the final four teams left in the tournament.

Sports

As the World Cup semifinals begin, it's the Fab Four goalkeepers leading the way

9:11am December 13, 2022

by Tom Goldman

While attention at the World Cup has mostly been on stars like Argentina's Messi, Brazil's Neymar, and Portugal's Ronaldo, goalkeepers have also shined — especially for the final four teams.

Achraf Dari and Walid Cheddira of Morocco celebrate after the 1-0 win during the quarterfinal match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

Morocco is living a dream in Qatar. Here are 5 things to know about its World Cup run

5:00am December 13, 2022

by Bill Chappell

"Why shouldn't we dream about winning the World Cup?" Morocco's coach Walid Regragui said after beating Portugal. He says his team is the "Rocky" of Qatar.

Sports

At the World Cup, Lionel Messi may finally be coming home

4:37pm December 12, 2022

by Jasmine Garsd

NPR's Juana Summers talks with The Last Cup host Jasmine Garsd, about the life and legacy of Lionel Messi, one of the best soccer players in history, as he attempts to win his first World Cup.

An illustration of five people at a ballet barre. From left to right: a dark-skinned man leans on the barre. A person with short blonde hair sits in front. A slightly overweight white woman gestures at her friend, a black woman who has her leg propped up on the barre. An older lady with greying hair stretches her leg on the barre.

Arts
Sports

How I discovered a love for ballet as an adult

3:00pm December 12, 2022

by Connie Hanzhang Jin

Sometimes you can find new interests in old places. For me, it was taking ballet classes alongside a group of around 20 Chinese ladies, all of them starting ballet as adults.

Sports

World Cup dreams end for Brazil's superstar Neymar

6:55am December 12, 2022

Brazil lost to Croatia in Friday's quarterfinals. As Neymar was leaving the pitch in tears after his team's exit, the son Croatian striker Ivan Perisic hugged Neymar — trying to comfort him.

Queue Listen Now

Sports

Brittney Griner's imprisonment in Russia drew attention to WNBA salaries

5:00am December 12, 2022

by Andrew Limbong

Now that Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian prison, will the WNBA reconsider how much it pays its players? (Story aired on All Things Considered on Dec. 9, 2022.)

Sports

World Cup referees must meet rigorous fitness standards

7:55am December 11, 2022

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Washington Post reporter Kelyn Soong about the rigorous fitness standards for World Cup referees.

Sports

World Cup semifinals this week will feature two thrilling matchups

7:55am December 11, 2022

The World Cup semifinals will feature two thrilling matchups. Morocco, the first African nation to advance this far in a World Cup, will take on defending champion France. Argentina will play Croatia.

What the Brittney Griner prisoner swap says about Russia-U.S. relations

5:07pm December 10, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul about the release of Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap with Russia and what that says about the possibility of further diplomacy.

France forward Kylian Mbappe (#10) fights for the ball with England defender Kyle Walker during the World Cup quarterfinal match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on December 10, 2022.

Sports

France beats its European rival England to advance to the World Cup semifinals

4:26pm December 10, 2022

by Russell Lewis

France defeated England 2-1. The road for the defending World Cup champions won't get any easier. France will take on Morocco in a semifinal match on Wednesday.