INSIDER
Becky Sauerbrunn and over 100 women's soccer players protest FIFA deal with Saudi oil giant Aramco
Read full article: Becky Sauerbrunn and over 100 women's soccer players protest FIFA deal with Saudi oil giant AramcoFormer U.S. national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema are among more than 100 women’s soccer players who have signed an open letter protesting FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco.
2025 Club World Cup final to be at MetLife Stadium, site of 2026 World Cup final
Read full article: 2025 Club World Cup final to be at MetLife Stadium, site of 2026 World Cup finalNext year’s championship of the expanded Club World Cup will be played on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, site of the 2026 World Cup final.
Human rights experts urge FIFA to scrutinize Saudi Arabia before 2034 World Cup vote
Read full article: Human rights experts urge FIFA to scrutinize Saudi Arabia before 2034 World Cup voteFIFA has been urged by international lawyers to uphold its own policy and scrutinize Saudi Arabia’s human rights record before picking the kingdom to host the men’s 2034 World Cup.
FIFA to seek legal advice on Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer
Read full article: FIFA to seek legal advice on Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccerFIFA will seek independent legal advice before holding an extraordinary council meeting by July 20 to make a decision on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas.
FIFA wants global standard for punishing racist abuse and urges players to use crossed hands sign
Read full article: FIFA wants global standard for punishing racist abuse and urges players to use crossed hands signFIFA will urge all 211 national federations to make racist abuse a disciplinary offense.
FIFA moves toward ending soccer tradition and letting league games be staged in other countries
Read full article: FIFA moves toward ending soccer tradition and letting league games be staged in other countriesFIFA has moved toward ending decades of soccer tradition by reviewing the policy that currently block domestic league games being played in other countries.
Club World Cup dates in the United States confirmed. Players' union FIFPRO not happy
Read full article: Club World Cup dates in the United States confirmed. Players' union FIFPRO not happyFIFA says the first edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States will be staged from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
After surviving corruption crises, Olympics and soccer move to let presidents stay longer in power
Read full article: After surviving corruption crises, Olympics and soccer move to let presidents stay longer in powerWhen the Olympic movement and international soccer lived through very public corruption crises, both agreed to limit the terms of their presidents in an effort to protect them in the future.
1 in 5 players at Women's World Cup abused online, FIFA says
Read full article: 1 in 5 players at Women's World Cup abused online, FIFA saysA report prepared by FIFA and the global players' association says players at the Women’s World Cup were 29% more likely to receive online abuse than those at the men’s tournament in 2022.
2034 World Cup would bring together FIFA's president and Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed
Read full article: 2034 World Cup would bring together FIFA's president and Saudi Arabia's Prince MohammedThe near certainty that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s World Cup unites two of the most influential men in world sports.
Saudi Arabia likely to host 2034 World Cup after Australia decides not to bid for soccer showcase
Read full article: Saudi Arabia likely to host 2034 World Cup after Australia decides not to bid for soccer showcaseSaudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men’s 2034 World Cup after the Australian soccer federation declined to enter the bidding contest.
Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid boosted by Indonesia changing sides after Australia co-host talks
Read full article: Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid boosted by Indonesia changing sides after Australia co-host talksIndonesian soccer federation leader Erick Thohir says it now supports Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
Australia in talks with Indonesia about a possible challenge to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup
Read full article: Australia in talks with Indonesia about a possible challenge to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World CupSoccer officials in Australia and Indonesia have floated the idea of teaming up in a bid to rival Saudi Arabia for the hosting rights to the men’s World Cup in 2034.
Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of its wish to host the 2034 World Cup as the favorite to win
Read full article: Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of its wish to host the 2034 World Cup as the favorite to winSaudi Arabia has formally informed FIFA of its wish to host the men’s World Cup in 2034 in a bidding contest that increasingly looks designed for the oil-rich kingdom to win.
Saudi Arabia in lead and maybe all alone in race shaped by FIFA to host soccer's 2034 World Cup
Read full article: Saudi Arabia in lead and maybe all alone in race shaped by FIFA to host soccer's 2034 World CupIf Saudi Arabia could have designed a process for choosing future World Cup hosts, it might look similar to what FIFA has unveiled for the 2030 and 2034 men’s soccer tournaments.
FIFA allows Russian soccer teams play in its Under-17 World Cups if they qualify
Read full article: FIFA allows Russian soccer teams play in its Under-17 World Cups if they qualifyFIFA has approved the possible reintegration of Russian youth teams into its competitions and eased a total ban on the country in international soccer amid the war in Ukraine.
European soccer body UEFA's handling of Russia and Rubiales invites scrutiny on values and process
Read full article: European soccer body UEFA's handling of Russia and Rubiales invites scrutiny on values and processA reputation built over decades that European soccer body UEFA is the good guy compared to FIFA as a cartoon caricature villain is being tested in this tough season for off-field politics.
Spain soccer head won't resign for kissing player at World Cup. Team won’t play until he goes
Read full article: Spain soccer head won't resign for kissing player at World Cup. Team won’t play until he goesThe president of Spain’s soccer federation has defiantly refused to resign for kissing a female player on the lips after the Women’s World Cup final.
Angry reaction after Spanish soccer leader kissed a Women’s World Cup star on the mouth
Read full article: Angry reaction after Spanish soccer leader kissed a Women’s World Cup star on the mouthThe leader of Spain’s soccer federation marred the country’s Women’s World Cup victory after kissing a player on the lips during the medal ceremony, drawing criticism for inappropriate conduct in a sport that has struggled to overcome sexism.
FIFA head Infantino says Women's World Cup breaks even but plays down calls for equal prize money
Read full article: FIFA head Infantino says Women's World Cup breaks even but plays down calls for equal prize moneyFIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday that the Women’s World Cup has “broken even” after generating more than $570 million in revenue but again dismissed suggestions for equal prize money with the men’s World Cup.
Bigger bonuses could change lives for tiny teams that advance in Women’s World Cup
Read full article: Bigger bonuses could change lives for tiny teams that advance in Women’s World CupPlayers who reached the knockout round of the Women’s World Cup got larger individual bonuses that can be life-changing to many of them.
FIFA can't guarantee federations will pay promised $30,000 per player at Women's World Cup
Read full article: FIFA can't guarantee federations will pay promised $30,000 per player at Women's World CupFIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is engaging with member federations to make sure that the $30,000 payments designated for every player at the Women’s World Cup reach the athletes.
For first time, every player at the Women's World Cup will be paid at least $30K
Read full article: For first time, every player at the Women's World Cup will be paid at least $30KAt the behest of players from across the globe, FIFA has agreed that a chunk of the prize money pool at the Women's World Cup go straight to the players — all 732 of them.
Soccer faces wave of racial and offensive abuse incidents amid FIFA pledge to stop games
Read full article: Soccer faces wave of racial and offensive abuse incidents amid FIFA pledge to stop gamesA leading anti-discrimination group in soccer says there is an “urgent crisis” in the game because of racial and offensive abuse.
Soccer players' union looks to hold FIFA accountable for player payments
Read full article: Soccer players' union looks to hold FIFA accountable for player paymentsThe global soccer players’ union says is working with FIFA to make sure that payments promised to all players at the Women’s World Cup actually reach them.
Spanish acknowledge they have a racism problem after more abuse of Vinícius Júnior
Read full article: Spanish acknowledge they have a racism problem after more abuse of Vinícius JúniorSpanish soccer is again embroiled in a racism debate and the support for Vinícius Júnior is growing rapidly after yet another case of abuse against the Brazil forward this weekend.
Angry fans crash through gate at El Salvador soccer match in stampede that kills 12, injures dozens
Read full article: Angry fans crash through gate at El Salvador soccer match in stampede that kills 12, injures dozensOfficials and witnesses say that fans angry at being blocked from entering a Salvadoran soccer league match knocked down an entrance gate to the stadium, leading to a crush that killed 12 people and injured dozens.
FIFA's Infantino optimistic about Women's World Cup TV deals in Europe
Read full article: FIFA's Infantino optimistic about Women's World Cup TV deals in EuropeFIFA President Gianni Infantino seems slightly more optimistic about completing what he would see as an acceptable deal for the broadcast rights to the upcoming Women’s World Cup in five key European countries.
Indonesia's stance on Israel overshadows world soccer event
Read full article: Indonesia's stance on Israel overshadows world soccer eventIndonesia could lose its chance to host a global youth soccer tournament, and its chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after refusing to welcome a team from Israel.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-elected by acclaim
Read full article: FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-elected by acclaimFIFA president Gianni Infantino has been re-elected by acclaim to another four-year term after suggesting the financial results under his leadership would keep an industry CEO in the job for life.
Infantino holds FIFA power as voters share World Cup wealth
Read full article: Infantino holds FIFA power as voters share World Cup wealthFIFA president Gianni Infantino will be re-elected this week to lead a richer-than-ever soccer body with an ambition to add new and bigger competitions despite growing wariness of him in Europe.
Report: Qatar spied on Swiss prosecutor, FIFA boss meeting
Read full article: Report: Qatar spied on Swiss prosecutor, FIFA boss meetingA Swiss newspaper says a spying operation on behalf of World Cup host Qatar bugged a 2017 hotel meeting between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Switzerland’s then-attorney general.
FIFA targets $11 billion in revenue through 2026 World Cup
Read full article: FIFA targets $11 billion in revenue through 2026 World CupFIFA expects to earn $11 billion in the 2026 World Cup cycle with a 48-team men’s tournament in North America set to deliver a big increase in revenue amid ongoing uncertainty about the exact match schedule.
European World Cup teams to defy FIFA in armband standoff
Read full article: European World Cup teams to defy FIFA in armband standoffFIFA has tried to end a standoff with European teams about wearing unauthorized captain armbands for an anti-discrimination campaign that draws attention to World Cup host Qatar.
Qatar's World Cup opener shows its reemergence after boycott
Read full article: Qatar's World Cup opener shows its reemergence after boycottQatar has opened the Middle East’s first World Cup with its ruler sitting next to the leaders of two countries that only a year and a half earlier were part of a boycott trying to bring the energy-rich nation to its knees.
FIFA head says fans 'will survive' without beer at World Cup
Read full article: FIFA head says fans 'will survive' without beer at World CupFIFA president Gianni Infantino has downplayed Qatar’s last minute ban on the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums as nothing more than a brief inconvenience to spectators.
Infantino says double standard behind World Cup critics
Read full article: Infantino says double standard behind World Cup criticsFIFA president Gianni Infantino has delivered a one-hour tirade on the eve of the World Cup’s opening match and then spent about 45 minutes answering questions from media about the Qatari government’s actions and a wide-range of other topics.
FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politics
Read full article: FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politicsSoccer's top officials have urged the 32 teams preparing for the most political World Cup in the modern to focus on the game in Qatar and avoid handing out lessons in morality.
FIFA vows to improve Indonesian soccer safety after tragedy
Read full article: FIFA vows to improve Indonesian soccer safety after tragedyThe president of soccer’s world governing body has met with Indonesia’s president and pledged to help improve stadium safety to prevent a repeat of a tragedy in which police fired tear gas at a match, causing a crush that killed 132 people.
Ukraine links World Cup host bid to beating horrors of war
Read full article: Ukraine links World Cup host bid to beating horrors of warUkrainian soccer federation president Andriy Pavelko says hosting World Cup matches in 2030 would be “the dream of people who survived the horrors of war” after his country launched a joint bid with Spain and Portugal.
Indonesian leader says locked gates contributed to deaths
Read full article: Indonesian leader says locked gates contributed to deathsIndonesia’s President Joko Widodo says locked gates had contributed to the crush at the soccer stadium that left 131 dead and over 400 injured when police fired tear gas and set off a panicked run for the exits.
US beats Canada for W Championship title, '24 Olympic berth
Read full article: US beats Canada for W Championship title, '24 Olympic berthAlex Morgan converted on a penalty in the 78th minute and the U.S. national team won the CONCACAF W Championship 1-0 over Canada on Monday night to secure one of the region’s spots in the 2024 Olympics.
FIFA picks 2026 World Cup cities, predicts US `No 1 sport'
Read full article: FIFA picks 2026 World Cup cities, predicts US `No 1 sport'Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle and Kansas City, Missouri, were the newcomers among the 11 U.S. sites picked to host games at the 2026 World Cup, while Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida, were left out.
Infantino on Qatar: Migrant workers get pride from hard work
Read full article: Infantino on Qatar: Migrant workers get pride from hard workFIFA President Gianni Infantino says migrant workers gain pride from hard work while he was being questioned about workers suffering in Qatar while building World Cup infrastructure.
Russians hear FIFA Congress plea from Ukraine to end the war
Read full article: Russians hear FIFA Congress plea from Ukraine to end the warThe appearance by video of the head of Ukrainian soccer, wearing an armored vest from the streets of Kyiv, brought the impact of Russia’s war into the FIFA Congress.
Cone wins 4-year term as US Soccer president, beats Cordeiro
Read full article: Cone wins 4-year term as US Soccer president, beats CordeiroCindy Parlow Cone was re-elected to a four-year team as U.S. Soccer Federation president, beating predecessor Carlos Cordeiro in an endorsement of the governing body’s settlement of a lawsuit by women players.
Women's team players, US Soccer extend labor deal 3 months
Read full article: Women's team players, US Soccer extend labor deal 3 monthsThe U.S. Soccer Federation and the union for its women’s national team agreed to a three-month extension of their labor contract through March, a move announced on the same day players filed a brief asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their equal pay claim.
Boxing among 3 Olympic sports in danger of losing 2028 spot
Read full article: Boxing among 3 Olympic sports in danger of losing 2028 spotBoxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon have been set a target of about 18 months to make changes in order to keep their status as Olympic sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Hamilton: F1 'duty bound' to raise awareness of human rights
Read full article: Hamilton: F1 'duty bound' to raise awareness of human rightsSeven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says Formula One is “duty bound” to raise awareness of human rights issues as the series closes its season in the Middle East.
US Soccer says it has offered men, women identical contracts
Read full article: US Soccer says it has offered men, women identical contractsThe U.S. Soccer Federation says it has offered identical contract proposals to the players’ associations for the men’s and women’s national teams, and the governing body said it would refuse to agree to a deal in which World Cup prize money is not equalized.
US women tell 9th Circuit trial court didn't factor success
Read full article: US women tell 9th Circuit trial court didn't factor successPlayers on the U.S. women’s national soccer team urged a federal appeals court to reinstate their equal pay lawsuit, saying their greater success than the American men was not taken into account by a trial court judge who dismissed their case.