World Cup

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A Sydney ferry sails past the illuminated pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ahead of the final vote for the hosting of the Rugby World Cups, Thursday, May 12, 2022. World Rugby will announce the host nations for the men's and women's World Cups for the period 2025-2033 with Australia heavily favored to host the men's 2027 and women's tournaments in 2029. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

United States to host Rugby World Cup for 1st time

By Steve Douglas - Associated Press

FILE - The Argentina football shirt worn by Diego Maradona in the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and England, is displayed for photographs at Sotheby's auction house, in London, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The shirt worn by Maradona when he scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal has sold for 7.1 million pounds ($9.3 million), the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of sports memorabilia. Auctioneer Sotheby’s sold the shirt in an online auction that closed Wednesday, May 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

Goal! Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt sets auction record

Associated Press

Flags of some of the qualified countries of the World Cup wave at the seafront in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The draw for the World Cup will be held in Doha on April 1.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

FIFA, Qatar prepare for unprecedented World Cup finals draw

By Graham Dunbar - Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, applauds beside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the end of the 2018 World Cup final soccer match between France and Croatia in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, July 15, 2018. FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) **FILE**

Russia loses bid to freeze ban from World Cup qualifying

By Graham Dunbar - Associated Press

A view of the St. Petersburg Stadium prior to the Confederations Cup, Group A soccer match between Russia and New Zealand, Saturday, June 17, 2017. Russia has been stripped of hosting the Champions League final by UEFA with St. Petersburg replaced by Paris after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The men's final will still be held on May 28 but now at the 80,000-seat Stade de France after the decision by UEFA's executive committee. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File) **FILE**

Russia suspended from international soccer over Ukraine war

By Graham Dunbar - Associated Press

United States' Breezy Johnson speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill training, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

US downhill racer Johnson forced out of Beijing Olympics

Associated Press

Slovakia's Petra Vlhova looks at the course before the start of the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup slalom in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Vlhova beats Shiffrin for fourth World Cup slalom win of season

Associated Press

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin prepares to start of the alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom race in Courchevel, France, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Giovanni Maria Pizzato) **FILE**

Shiffrin is latest elite skier to test positive for COVID-19

Associated Press

Team Canada forward Christine Sinclair, left, consoles Team United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (9) after their semifinal soccer match at the Tokyo Olympics in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2020. Canada won 1-0. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

US women dissect the Olympics while Canada celebrates gold

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

Andersen-Salinas Herrera after 19. a3.

For a weekly chess columnist, an embarrassment of riches

By David R. Sands - The Washington Times

Belgium's Leandro Trossard, center, fights for the ball with Belarus' Igor Stasevich, left, and Belarus' Sergei Kislyak during a World Cup 2022 group E qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Belarus at the King Power stadium in Leuven, Belgium, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Talking Points: Sizing up the top teams ahead of Euro 2020

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Celta Vigo's Denis Suarez is chased by Real Madrid's Toni Kroos during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Celta and Real Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain, Saturday March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Lalo R.Villar)

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos criticizes World Cup in Qatar

Associated Press

Germany's Timo Werner misses a scoring chance during the World Cup 2022 group J qualifying soccer match between Germany and North Macedonia in Duisburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (Thilo Schmuelgen/Pool via AP)

Germany beaten by North Macedonia to end WCup qualifying run

Associated Press

From left to right, Kosovo and Spain national team players listen national anthems prior their World Cup 2022 Group B qualifying round soccer match at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Wednesday March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)

Spain beats Kosovo, national broadcaster downgrades visitors

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Luxembourg and Portugal at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Ronaldo leads Portugal, Mitrovic nets double for Serbia

Associated Press

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, center, jubilates as he follows the ball into the net after teammate Portugal's Joao Palhinha, second right, scored his sides third goal during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Luxembourg and Portugal at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Qualifiers: Ronaldo scores, Belgium and Dutch earn big routs

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Israelifans cheer before a World Cup 2022 group F qualifying soccer match between Israel and Scotland in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Denmark routs Moldova 8-0 after pre-game T-shirt protest

Associated Press

England's Harry Kane celebrates his side's first goal during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Albania and England at Air Albania stadium in Tirana, Sunday, March 28, 2021. England won 2-0. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)

Europe top teams win WCup qualifiers as Swiss move goalposts

By STEVE DOUGLAS - Associated Press

Germany's Serge Gnabry, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup 2022 group J qualifying soccer match between Romania and Germany at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Germany beats Romania in WCup qualifying, Iceland flounders

Associated Press

Mexico's Uriel Antuna, left, and United States' Aaron Herrera fight for the ball during a Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying championship soccer match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

US plays Honduras for berth in men’s Olympic soccer in Japan

By The Associated Press - Associated Press