Soccer

Spain, soccer and an unwanted World Cup kiss: the Luis Rubiales firestorm, explained

3:16pm September 15, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales appeared in court Friday and denied any wrongdoing. Here's what's happened and what to look for next.

U.S. defender Julie Ertz celebrates after scoring a goal against New Zealand during the first half of an international friendly soccer match in Commerce City, Colo., on Sept. 15, 2017. The 2-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year has retired from soccer after a 10-year career that included back to back Women's World Cup titles and two U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year awards.

Sports

The USWNT's Julie Ertz, a back to back World Cup champion, is retiring from soccer

6:41pm August 31, 2023

by Ayana Archie

Ertz is the only player to win two U.S. Soccer Player of the Year awards and a U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. She has won two World Cups and is a two-time Olympian.

Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales is being criticized for kissing Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the medal ceremony following Spain's victory in the final of the Women's World Cup on Sunday in Sydney.

Anger in Spain after soccer chief kisses a player at Women's World Cup ceremony

3:15pm August 22, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

A furor erupted after Luis Rubiales kissed player Jennifer Hermoso at a ceremony. "It was an unacceptable gesture and Mr. Rubiales' apologies are not enough," the acting prime minister said.

Spain's Olga Carmona points to the message she had written on her undershirt to honor the death of one of her best friend's mother after scoring what would be the only goal in the match against England on Sunday. Carmona later learned that her father had died before the final match.

Spain's Olga Carmona learned her father had died after she won the Women's World Cup

11:14am August 21, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

"Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life," wrote Carmona, who scored the only goal in Spain's historic win over England.

U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski watches during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the United States in Melbourne, Australia, Aug. 6, 2023. Andonovski stepped down, according to a statement from the U.S. Soccer Federation released Thursday, Aug. 17. The move comes less than two weeks after the Americans were knocked out of the Women's World Cup earlier than ever before.

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The head coach of the U.S. national women's soccer team has stepped down

4:51pm August 17, 2023

by Ayana Archie

Head coach Vlatko Andonovksi and the U.S. Soccer Federation have "mutually agree to part ways," the organization said. Last week, the USWNT was knocked out of the World Cup earlier than ever before.

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Jill Roord of Netherlands knocks in a header to score on South Africa in the round of 16. The Dutch now face Spain.

Meet the last 8 teams in the running for the Women's World Cup

5:54pm August 09, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

The quarterfinalists include Japan, Colombia and Australia, and five European squads. Here are the stars to watch and the key storylines to follow in the quarterfinal matches that begin Thursday.

Japanese midfielder Hinata Miyazawa, center, celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during its match against Spain earlier this week. Japan is one of three teams to win all its games in the group stage.

Who's in, who's out and storylines to watch in the Women's World Cup round of 16

12:01pm August 04, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

The Women's World Cup says goodbye to Germany and Brazil and welcome to Morocco and Jamaica. Here are the teams and games to watch as the tournament's knockout stage begins.

Lionel Messi celebrates the game-winning goal after defeating Cruz Azul on Friday.

Sports

Will Lionel Messi finally make the U.S. a soccer nation?

4:53pm July 24, 2023

After a move to Inter Miami, the world's biggest soccer star has more than a new team to take on — he's being counted on to popularize Major League Soccer too.

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Marta and the Brazilian women's soccer team walk around the field greeting fans after a friendly match against Chile ahead of the World Cup, in Brasília, Brazil, on July 2.

Brazil's Marta scored more World Cup goals than any woman or man. Now she hopes to win

3:05pm July 21, 2023

by Carrie Kahn

She is repeatedly named world player of the year. But a World Cup title has eluded the Brazilian superstar, and at 37, this may be her last shot at it.

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The USA celebrates victory at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Will they repeat their success for a third time?

The U.S. begins its quest for a World Cup three-peat by taking on Vietnam

5:01am July 21, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

The USWNT is hoping its mix of veterans and rookies will become the first team to win three straight World Cups. They'll start by taking on a nation playing in its very first.