World Cup

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Saudi Arabia's defender Ali Albulayhi, right, celebrates with his goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, left, after their teammate Fahad Al Muwallad scores the opening goal, during the AFC Asian Cup group E soccer match between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Crisis infects soccer tournament as Qatar faces Saudi Arabia

By ROB HARRIS and JOHN DUERDEN - Associated Press

A promotion doll covered with ice and snow hangs between trees near a climbing park at the Wasserkuppe, Germany, Friday, Jan 11, 2019. (Uwe Zucchi/dpa via AP)

Snow cancels World Cup skeleton races in Germany

Associated Press

The French team celebrates after winning the final match against Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

FIFA research says 3.5B people viewed some World Cup action

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

FILE - In this April 5, 2018, file photo, United States' Tierna Davidson moves the ball against the Mexico during the first half of an international friendly soccer match in Jacksonville, Fla. Davidson was recently named U.S. Soccer’s Young Player of the Year. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

US Soccer’s Young Player of the Year works back from injury

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

Mary Harvey goes from soccer champ to human rights leader

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

Nigeria Women female soccer team players celebrates with the trophy after winning against Bayana Bayana of South Africa, at the end of the women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Accra, Ghana, Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. Nigeria won its 11th title in 13 editions of the Women's African Cup of Nations by beating South Africa in a penalty shootout in the final on Saturday. The game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes and although Nigeria missed its first penalty kick in the shootout, when Onome Ebi hit the post, South Africa missed twice and the Nigerians prevailed 4-3. (AP Photo/Alade Omowunmi )

No secret to building women’s soccer in Africa: Play more

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

United States' Carli Lloyd smiles prior to the women's soccer World Cup France 2019 draw, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

The Latest: Swedes can win it, says coach Gerhardsson

Associated Press

United States' Carli Lloyd waves as she stands by the World Cup trophy, during the women's soccer World Cup France 2019 draw, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

US draws Sweden again for 2019 Women’s World Cup

By JEROME PUGMIRE and ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

FIFA picks women’s World Cup referees; no video review yet

Associated Press

South Africa earns first trip to Women’s World Cup

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and Croatia at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

UEFA Nations League a hit as positivity replaces skepticism

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH and STEVE DOUGLAS - Associated Press

Kulizhnikov wins 1,000 meters at speed skating World Cup

Associated Press

FILE - In this April 12, 2018 file photo, FIFA President Gianni Infantino participates in the annual conference of the South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Infantino has asked the emir of Qatar to consider co-hosting the next World Cup with several nations that are attempting to isolate the tiny desert country in a bitter diplomatic dispute. Qatar has just eight stadiums to host 64 games over an already-congested 28-day window in 2022. Expanding the field to 48 teams would mean 80 games, requiring more stadiums. Infantino says using venues in Saudi Arabia and around the Persian Gulf “would probably be a nice message.” (AP Photo/Martin Ruggiero, File)

FIFA’s 2022 World Cup expansion at risk from 28-day limit

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives for the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Infantino hoped to secure an agreement on Friday Oct. 26, 2018, from his council on the concept of revamping the Club World Cup and establishing a worldwide Nations League.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein, FILE)

FIFA puts new tournaments on hold due to European opposition

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Monday, June 11, 2018 file photo, FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks with participants of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Moscow, Russia. A person with knowledge of the plans tells The Associated Press FIFA President Gianni Infantino is doubling down on his Club World Cup plans with a proposal for an annual tournament despite European soccer’s resistance to any competition that challenges the supremacy of the Champions League.(AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

AP source: FIFA proposes annual Club World Cup

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

Cannon, Long, Amon make US debuts vs Peru

By PAT EATON-ROBB - Associated Press

United States forward Megan Rapinoe scores a goal while being defended by Jamaica defender Konya Plummer during the first half of a CONCACAF women's World Cup qualifying tournament soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn)

Megan Rapinoe sees disparity as World Cup approaches

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

Panama defender Rebeca Espinosa (15) and defender Yomira Pinzon (5) attempt to defend against Canada forward Christine Sinclair (12) as Sinclair scores a goal during the second half of a soccer match at the CONCACAF women's World Cup qualifying tournament in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn)

Canada gets into Women’s World Cup with 7-0 win over Panama

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

US guards against overconfidence in World Cup qualifying

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

Netherland's Virgil Van Dijk celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between The Netherlands and Germany at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherlands thrashes Germany 3-0 to pile pressure on Loew

By MIKE CORDER - Associated Press