Soccer

National

The league of chaos is back. Here's what we're watching this NWSL season

5:02am March 14, 2025

Whether you're new to the National Women's Soccer League, or you've been a fan for its past 12 seasons, here's a preview of what you should watch out for when play kicks off this weekend.

Manchester United announces plans for a new $2.5 billion stadium

5:08pm March 11, 2025

The plans include the demolition of Old Trafford, the team's iconic 115-year-old stadium.

Argentina v France: Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show

5:03pm March 05, 2025

Like the Super Bowl mid-game spectaculars, the 2026 final game slated to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will include the World Cup's very first halftime show.

A star generation of women's soccer has retired. A new series shows who to watch next

10:43am March 05, 2025

A trailblazing generation of players is retiring. In a new docuseries from Prime Video, we hear from a new group of players and coaches vying to be the next best in American women's soccer.

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — a controversial pick

1:07pm December 11, 2024

FIFA's selection of Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup was celebrated in the kingdom but criticized by human rights groups, who fear residents, visitors and migrant workers will be at risk of abuse.

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Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam

8:22am November 08, 2024

Soccer fans from Israel were attacked in Amsterdam in what the Dutch prime minister called "antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens."

Researchers work to make pitch-perfect turf for the 2026 World Cup

7:49am October 09, 2024

Researchers work to grow grass that will offer the same level playing field for athletes at the various soccer venues that will be used during the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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National

Which high-profile Republican says they are voting for Harris? Find out in the quiz

5:00am September 06, 2024

Queens of the chart, field and Maori adorn the quiz this week, and we also address seasonal topics like memoirs and TV shows. Enjoy it while you can!

Abby Wambach celebrates the 5-2 victory against Japan in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada in 2015.

Abby Wambach has won 2 gold medals. She says real success came later

10:42am August 01, 2024

As the U.S. women's national soccer team's all time top goal scorer, Abby Wambach knows what it feels like to win. She's brought home a World Cup and multiple Olympic gold medals, but she says true success comes after the podium. She and Rachel talk about forgiving yourself, how a little narcissism isn't a bad thing, and why she wants to be forgotten.

To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

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Spain beat England 2-1 to win EURO 2024 title

Soccer's diversity unites a divided Europe, sort of

3:15pm July 15, 2024

by Esme Nicholson

Four weeks of chanting and shouting on the streets were not expressions of anger about politics — but the sound of joy and excitement about the European Championship soccer tournament.