Soccer

Abby Wambach of the U.S. (from right) celebrates with teammates Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath after scoring against Nigeria at the end of the first half Tuesday during the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, Canada.

U.S. Women Beat Nigeria 1-0, Win Group And Advance To Elimination Rounds

12:07pm June 18, 2015

by Russell Lewis

The victory, thanks to a goal by Abby Wambach, eases the Americans' path toward the World Cup, while the Nigerians were eliminated by the loss.

Nigerian fans stand and deliver cheers at a match against Australia, played during the Women's World Cup in Winnipeg, Canada.

Nigerian Soccer Fans Really Know How To Have A Ball

8:06pm June 16, 2015

by Russell Lewis

The U.S. team, which plays Nigeria tonight at the Women's World Cup, is a tournament favorite. But Nigeria's funtastic fans deserve a cup of their own.

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The headquarters of the South American Football Confederation, or CONMEBOL, in Luque, Paraguay. The confederation has the status of an embassy, which includes legal immunity in Paraguay. Two former heads of CONMEBOL have been indicted in the FIFA scandal,

FIFA's Soccer 'Embassy' In Paraguay, Complete With Legal Immunity

6:14pm June 07, 2015

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

The South American soccer federation, which is part of FIFA, has diplomatic status on par with an embassy. That means that inside its luxurious grounds, Paraguayan law does not apply.

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Robbie Keane scored in Ireland's controversial World Cup qualifying match with France on Nov. 18, 2009 — but the country was eliminated by the aggregate score of 2-1. Ireland's soccer association says FIFA paid 5 million euros — $7 million at 2010 exc

Irish Soccer Details $7 Million FIFA Payment Over Handball

5:29pm June 05, 2015

by Bill Chappell

While earlier news has alleged hefty bribes over the awarding of the tournament, this case centers on a pivotal play in a World Cup playoff game that played in a key role in Ireland staying home.

American Outlaws, seen on the big screen, cheer for the U.S. women's national team more than half an hour before kickoff during a match with Mexico on May 17.

For Women's World Cup, U.S. Soccer Fans Kick It Up A Notch

6:45pm May 25, 2015

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

They've been supporting the men for years. But for the first time, the American Outlaws — a growing and influential U.S. soccer fan group — will cheer for the women's national team at a World Cup.

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First-graders take soccer class at the Nandulehe Elementary School in suburban Beijing. The school is one of 20,000 that's launching a national soccer curriculum in the next five years. It's part of a government plan to raise China's soccer skills and eve

China Kicks Off 'Great Leap Forward' On The Soccer Field

7:07pm May 21, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

China is rolling out an ambitious soccer program. President Xi Jinping is reported to be a big fan who wants China to win a World Cup. Critics say there's too much emphasis on quick results.

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FIFA President Sepp Blatter kicks a ball during the inauguration of a football stadium in the village of Dura al-Qari near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday. Blatter said he is on a

For Israel, Soccer Becomes A Geopolitical Football

8:39pm May 20, 2015

by Emily Harris

The head of FIFA visited Israel and the West Bank this week, where Palestinians are petitioning to expel Israel from soccer's governing body — and its biggest international tournaments.

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FC Barcelona plays Getafe in Barcelona, Spain, on May 3. Spain's soccer federation says it will halt all professional games

No Goooaaal? Spain's Soccer Federation Suspends Season In Row Over Law

6:59pm May 07, 2015

by Lauren Frayer

At issue is a new law that allows poorer teams to share TV airtime and revenue more fairly. The law would break the monopoly of the league's two richest teams, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Sports

Deford: Americans Don't Care About Major League Soccer

3:30pm April 08, 2015

by Frank Deford

The curmudgeonly sports commentator is pessimistic about the sport's prospects in the U.S.

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Guinea's defender Fode Camara (left) heads the ball over Ivory Coast's forward Wilfried Bony in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Africa's Soccer Tourney Takes Guinea's Mind Off Ebola

9:22am January 22, 2015

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Today, Guineans had one thing on their mind: Would their beloved Elephants beat Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations?

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