TOKYO — Chinese President Xi Jinping is reported to be a big soccer fan, and he promised in a 2015 document to resuscitate the men’s national team, damaged by abysmal results on the global stage and widespread corruption in local leagues. He cannot be happy. Japan defeated China 7-0 on Thursday in a World Cup … Read more
Football fans are seen at the Hamad international Airport ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images For consumers who are continuing to spend on high-end experiences, whether that’s traveling to Europe to see Taylor Swift or splurging on premium airfare, what promises to be the biggest sporting event to … Read more
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentines taking to the streets to revel in their Copa América triumph late Sunday inhabit a very different place now than they did 19 months ago, when their World Cup win sent millions surging into the same Buenos Aires square in a howl of collective celebration. “Glorious,” Diego Cáceres, 38, recalled … Read more
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Argentina won its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 Sunday night on Lautaro Martínez’s 112th-minute goal. Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on … Read more
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lionel Messi scored his 109th international goal and first of the tournament, leading defending champion Argentina over Canada 2-0 on Tuesday night and into the Copa America final. Julián Álvarez put the Albiceleste ahead in the 22nd minute and Messi redirected Enzo Fernández’s shot in off the face of goalkeeper Maxime … Read more
After advancing further than ever in World Cup qualifying, the Palestinian soccer team is determined to host a game for a change. The football association has proposed playing games in the third stage of its Asian qualification campaign in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and already has support from a number of its opponents, starting against … Read more
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Arriving at Copa America seeking redemption after disappointing performances in the World Cup and in the CONCACAF Nations League, Mexico is on the verge of an early exit. Salomón Rondón scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute, and Venezuela advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals with 1-0 victory over Mexico … Read more
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — It’s sad but true, Copa America could mark Lionel Messi’s final chapter with Argentina’s national soccer team. The World Cup winner will turn 37 during the tournament in the United States, which kicks off Thursday. He’s clearly past his peak at Inter Miami after two decades of playing at the highest … Read more
The unions for professional European soccer players have started legal action against FIFA over the expanded men’s Club World Cup, saying playing more games violates players’ rights with no scope for rest between seasons, the global union said on Thursday. England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and France’s players’ union (UNFP), both part of the global … Read more
The federal government will provide the city of Toronto with $104.34 million to help host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and federal Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough made the funding announcement Friday at Toronto’s BMO Field, where the matches will be held. Toronto has estimated its part of hosting … Read more
