World Football News

What Watching a Soccer Final Does to Your Body, According to Science

A recent study tracked hundreds of soccer fans until their favorite team reached the final of a tournament. Their stress levels skyrocketed, and their heart rates jumped too.

Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early Retirement

Argentina’s Lionel Messi was supposed to be done years ago. Now, sports science is helping soccer’s biggest stars rewrite the rules of aging.

Penalty Shootouts: Is the Team That Kicks First More Likely to Win?

Penalty kicks are already proving critical to big wins at this year’s World Cup. But the advantage in penalty kicks has more to do with psychological effects than who kicks first.

Sunshine and Saharan Dust Make Miami’s World Cup Quarter-Final a Dangerous Game for England Norway

English and Norwegian players will face off under extreme and dangerous levels of heat stress, scientists say, thanks to a Wet Bulb Index over over 90°F.

How Boston Dynamics Got Its Atlas Humanoid Robot Fit for the World Cup

Atlas has some serious soccer skills. Learning them involved "massive trial and error."

How well do you know your Reflecting Pool news? Because the quiz will test you

This week, the beleaguered body of water faced new woes. Plus soccer, gambling and U.K. politics!

Historic World Cup furor at 'incomprehensible' FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play

The Belgian soccer federation is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium's statement came just 11 hours before kickoff in Seattle. European soccer body UEFA criticizes FIFA's "incomprehensible and…

Aviation's most outspoken CEO is in line for a $175 million payday

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary has previously justified his big pay packets by comparing himself to soccer star Kylian Mbappe.

Palestinian-American kids find inspiration, and escape, on the soccer pitch

A dozen miles away from the World Cup games in New York/ New Jersey Stadium, Palestinian-American kids turn to soccer as an escape from the realities of war.

3 World Cup rivals find 'Common Ground' in a cross-border beer

A trio of craft breweries from the global soccer event's three host nations are using the tournament to brew something increasingly rare: cross-border solidarity.

Greetings from sweltering Switzerland

On the waterfront in Lucerne, Switzerland, soccer fans watched jumbo TVs showing a World Cup match played an ocean away. But the air felt more like the tropics.

Americans are showing up for the World Cup in record-breaking numbers

While the U.S. isn't a bona fide soccer nation yet, the past three weeks have perhaps shown what it would feel like if it were.

Folarin Balogun's soccer ban suspended by FIFA, allowing U.S. striker to play Belgium

U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun has had his World Cup ban suspended by FIFA, making him free to play in the United States' round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.

The superstars of the World Cup are out-superstarring themselves this year

Three soccer superstars have already scored seven goals in the World Cup, with the tournament on track for the most goals per game since 1970.

A soccer podcast became a 100-person media company. Now the World Cup is testing how big it can get.

Men in Blazers found a way into the World Cup soccer market without paying for the games. How far can it go?

I took a 95-year-old camera to the World Cup. Everyone thought I was crazy.

Fareed Kotb brought a nearly 100-year-old camera to the 2026 World Cup, hoping to connect modern soccer with the tournament's earliest history.

Our World Cup splurge wasn't about soccer. It was about making memories with our son.

Being an older parent that taught me that expensive memories are often worth it. That's why we splurged on World Cup tickets.

World Cup Watchers: Test Your New Flag Knowledge With This Weirdly Addictive Game

Vexillophiles of the world, unite.

Argentine soccer player loses wife, 2 children in Venezuela earthquakes

An Argentine soccer player for a Venezuelan team lost his wife and two children in last week’s deadly earthquakes.

How coach Mauricio Pochettino made believers out of the U.S. World Cup team

Pochettino was the biggest name the U.S. men's soccer team had ever hired. His rebuild was bumpy at times — but now, with the U.S. headed to the World Cup knockout stage, the players are all in.

The World Cup reminds us that the way to a visitor's heart ... is through their stomach

The action inside the stadiums isn't the only thing capturing the attention of international visitors. Turns out, they're discovering the delights of Buc-ee's, Waffle House, Wawa and free soda refills.

Soccer legend Mia Hamm has a 3-step longevity routine to stay strong and agile in her 50s

Mia Hamm said she ditched heavy weights and explosive exercise to prioritize smart movements that help with heart health and longevity.

Steak, blue-light glasses, and a morning stroll: The health hacks of Norway's 6-foot-5, 200-pound soccer star

Erling Haaland, who scored the two goals that saw Norway beat Brazil in the World Cup, is what happens when genetics and health optimization collide.

Magnificent Messi makes history, breaks all-time World Cup scoring record

Messi scored a record-setting 17th World Cup goal in Argentina's game against Austria. And, then, he netted another goal, making him the all-time leader in World Cup tournaments (men and women).

Rickrolling the World Cup

Sometimes, hacking requires a certain amount of restraint, especially when you find a system woefully unsecured. It would be so easy to play some pranks, but [bobdahacker] chose not to rickroll the…

US soccer coach responds to World Cup red card suspension

U.S. men's soccer striker Folarin Balogun got a red card against Bosnia and automatic suspension for the next match against Belgium in World Cup round of 16.

The Ebike Accessories You Need to Help You Haul the Most Stuff

An unadorned ebike is a blank canvas. Here, get tips for maximizing its cargo-hauling and person-carrying capabilities.

Illegal immigrant soccer coach who used alcohol and drugs to sexually abuse kids learns fate

The global business behind World Cup jerseys, from $180 authentic shirts to $4 counterfeits

We went inside Bangladesh's garment factories to find out why authentic World Cup jerseys sell for as much as $180.

Hotels Are Losing Their World Cup Matchup Against Bitter Rival Airbnb

Oh, did you bet on hotels? You lost your shirt, sucker.

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 29, #644

Here's today's Connections: Sports Edition answer and hints for groups. These clues will help you solve The New York Times' popular puzzle game, Connections: Sports Edition, every day.

US defeats Australia 2-0 in 2nd World Cup win

The U.S. men's soccer team defeated Australia on Friday, in its second winning World Cup match.

Belgian federation to challenge FIFA's decision to let Balogun play in World Cup

The Belgian soccer federation is demanding explanation from FIFA about a decision to let U

T-Mobile caps off a month of freebies with a $60 jersey nobody asked for

T-Mobile's latest Member Month perk is a $60 Umbro jersey, but paying to wear your carrier's logo doesn't exactly feel like a reward.

Can the World Cup's viral stars turn social media fame into fortunes?

They’re not Ronaldo or Messi, but they might be set for life after gaining millions of new followers.

I'm a 67-year-old World Cup volunteer. Being able to contribute to soccer feels like a dream — it's an honor.

Juan Guanuna, a 67-year-old from Ecuador who immigrated to the US nearly 50 years ago, said that being a FIFA World Cup volunteer feels like a dream.

World Cup 2026: Soccer Arcade Games Through the Years

In this 100% human-made post, we take a look back at the history of soccer arcade & pinball games, just in time for World Cup 2026.

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 21, #636

Here's today's Connections: Sports Edition answer and hints for groups. These clues will help you solve The New York Times' popular puzzle game, Connections: Sports Edition, every day.

The World Cup, the Knicks, and LeBron James’s Fate: An All-Time Summer in Sports

The staff writer Louisa Thomas on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, the N.B.A. off-season, and Serena Williams.

France downs Morocco 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semifinal

Morocco was no match for France, which lost 2-0. The French, one of the pre-tournament favorites, move on to the World Cup semifinals against either Spain or Belgium.

The European mind cannot comprehend US ad breaks

FIFA introduced hydration breaks for the 2026 World Cup, drawing criticism from players and fans as some broadcasters cut to commercials.

Check your LinkedIn DMs. You might have been asked to play in the World Cup.

Cape Verde's Roberto Lopes was born in Ireland and recruited for the squad via a LinkedIn message. The team secured a surprise 0-0 tie with Spain.

US-Belgium is most-watched soccer telecast in US history at 30M viewers, Fox says

The U.S. game against Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup set another record as the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, Fox said after preliminary ratings came out Tuesday

WATCH: World Cup soccer fans in US for first time experience joys of America

As fans from around the globe travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, David Muir shares what they're loving about it – from southern BBQ to baseball games to Buc-ee's.

Meta Begins Data Center Invasion of Canada, Which Reminds Me of Some Weird Zuck Trivia

Let’s look at some of Mark Zuckerberg’s bizarre history with the nation of Canada

Soccer-Inspired Asymmetrical Linking Chairs

This Spielbein chair concept is by German industrial designer Peter Otto Vosding. (In German, spielbein refers to the kicking leg in soccer, as opposed to the standbein, or supporting leg. The name makes sense when you look at the design.) Seating people in r…

Streamer IShowSpeed Is Gen Z’s ESPN

At 21, Speed has pushed the limits of streaming by transforming a distinctly solo format into a global group chat. His song for this year’s World Cup is becoming the tournament’s unofficial anthem.

How England's class divide shaped Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s likely next prime minister

As mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham brought growth to the postindustrial city. Can he scale that nationally as the next prime minister?

Security News This Week: LastPass Users Had Their Data Stolen—Again

Plus: Former national security advisor John Bolton pleads guilty in classified-materials case, Microsoft helps take down major infostealer infrastructure, and more.

Priced out of World Cup games, Mexican fans take celebrations into their own hands

The thunderous cry rings out over a crowd gathered in front of a television propped up on plastic tables and past a maze of vendors lining a bustling working...

WATCH: Meet the WAGS of the US Men's 2026 World Cup team

Nightline goes behind the scenes of this year's World Cup, where we speak to two wives of the U.S. men's national soccer team. Plus, a look at some of the biggest WAGS in the sports world.

Briefly Noted Book Reviews

“Death of the Soccer God,” by Dimitry Elias Léger; “Nebraska,” by Monica Datta; “Muskism,” by Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff; and “Spawning Season,” by Joseph Osmundson.

How a Soccer Stance Solved One of Furniture’s Oldest Problems

How a Soccer Stance Solved One of Furniture’s Oldest ProblemsIf you’ve ever hosted a dinner party and counted chairs two hours before guests arrived, you know the panic. Do you have enough? Do you...

Win or go home: The U.S. to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout game

The U.S. men's team is favored in Wednesday's must-win Round of 32 match — but they haven't beaten a European team since 2021, nor won a World Cup knockout game since 2002.

The World Cup is turning Erling Haaland's style into big business

Erling Haaland is known for his style both on and off the pitch, whether that's matching his hair ties to his jersey or traveling with Hermès bags.

'Coreano Hermano': Ahead of Mexico vs. South Korea, it's all love between the fans

It's an unusual sight before a World Cup match: Supporters of opposing teams partying together, calling each other "brother," some even hoping for a draw. But fans say they're far from rivals.

We expected childcare help from our au pair. We got a new family tradition instead.

What started as childcare turned into a friendship, a World Cup obsession, and a connection that spans two continents.

I attended one of the most popular FIFA Fan Festivals in the US. Here's what attendees enjoyed about the party in Atlanta.

The Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park offers free entry and a lively atmosphere, drawing over 450,000 visitors.

Wimbledon's breakout star is the son of a hedge fund multimillionaire

Arthur Fery entered Wimbledon as a wild card but has reached the semifinals. He went to an elite British school and his dad made millions in finance.

It's a cruel summer heatwave: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding attracts small crowds as NYC temps spike

Only a few brave Taylor Swift fans lined the hot NYC sidewalks outside the arena where she and Travis Kelce reportedly were tying the knot.

Garb: GOOOOOOAL

Nike Sportswear Club Goalie Top / $80. Nike Heritage Premier Soccer Ball / $34. Nike Sportswear Club Shorts / $60. Nike Tiempo Ligera Pro Soccer Shoes / $140. Gatorade Zero 8 Pack / $23.96. Apple Rose Gold Series 11 Watch...

RoboCup 2026: Roboter aus Bremen sind Weltmeister in Human Middle Division

Der RoboCup 2026 hat erneut einen deutschen Weltmeister hervorgebracht. Das Team B-Human aus Bremen gewinnt die Middle Division der Human Soccer League.

Why Do Soccer Fans Wear Scarves?

Why do soccer fans wear scarves? The tradition began as a practical way to stay warm at winter matches before becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable symbols of support.

Three Players From the Japanese Men’s National Team vs. 100 School Children

Nothing to see here. Just three Japanese internationals vs. 100 school children lining up in a 30-30-30-10 formation. https://t.co/yz5zkovKIK

I Got a Ground Level Look at How Seattle's World Cup Drone Scoreboard Lights Up the Sky

Seattle is flying a first-of-its-kind drone performance showing the scores of World Cup matches played in the city.

US World Cup star Folarin Balogun's red card ban suspended ahead of Belgium match

Balogun was given a red card and automatically suspended for one game last week after clashing with an opposing player's foot.

VAR Will Never Recover From Egypt Vs. Argentina At The World Cup 2026

No amount of pedantry can salvage what happened in Atlanta

Big dogs, Buc-ee's and the great BBQ debate: World Cup fans discover everyday America

After a week of the World Cup, visitors to the U.S. are marveling on social media about things like free drink refills. It's a respite as tensions between Washington and its allies run high.

Apple marks the return of MLS with new Apple Maps guides, Apple Music playlists, more

With the 2026 World Cup drawing to a close, Major League Soccer returns tomorrow on Apple TV, alongside several tie-in features in Apple Maps, Apple Sports, Apple Fitness+, and more. Here are the details.

A Brief History of Soccer and the World Cup

Every four years, humanity undergoes a great increase in its number of soccer fans — or rather, football fans, depending on what part of the world we’re talking about. That’s not to imply that the world otherwise suffers from a dearth of enthusiasts of that p…

How Mbappe, Haaland and Messi use psychology to stay sharp at the World Cup

Sports psychology plays a major role on and off the pitch, helping players manage chaos and stay strategic

The Razr 2025 FIFA edition has 5 hidden Easter eggs for World Cup fans— and it's $150 OFF for Prime Day

Motorola didn't just give the Razr 2025 FIFA World Cup 26 Edition a facelift — it has exclusive software perks, and it's 21% off for Prime Day.

Nike’s Soccer Ball Soccer Sneaker Is a World Cup Showstopper

Nike T90 Total soccer sneaker features a soccer ball-inspired quilted upper and asymmetrical ribbon laces bringing 2000s football nostalgia to the streets.

How to upgrade your CarPlay experience with Ottocast products [15% off]

Soccer season has a way of starting at exactly the wrong time. You’re running errands, waiting in the parking lot, or stuck away from the TV when the match finally kicks off. While your car screen is great for maps and music, it’s usually not set for match da…

We’re Finally Getting An Instant Cup Of Noodles You Can Make With Cold Water

The mad geniuses at Nissin are at it again

How soccer players train for chaos

Soccer might be one of the hardest sports to train for. Players need endurance to run for 90 minutes, with only one 15-minute break. And in the World Cup knockout rounds, if there is a tie, match time could extend to 120 minutes. Over the course of a game, th…

Reigning champion Argentina escapes with remarkable World Cup victory over Egypt

Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal.

Hot mics at the G7 capture world leaders' chats between weighty topics

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — The leaders of the world’s richest democracies are talking about how to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems this week,...

Serena Williams arrived at Wimbledon with a $45,000 pink watch. Here's a look at her timepiece and other A-list wrist candy.

Wimbledon 2026 is underway, and its audience is filled with celebrities wearing coveted watches. Serena Williams and David Beckham are among them.

The breakout success of Fox's World Cup marketing: influencers

The Fox One streaming service's World Cup marketing playbook is all about letting the creators do the scoring.

How the World Cup Explains the World

Postcolonialism. Global interdependence. Perhaps even a healthy kind of nationalism in 2026?

Discover how Ausom's range stacks up during the Soccer Season Sale

This article is sponsored by Ausom

Scrandle turns stadium food into a daily taste test

An eternity and a half ago, I wrote about Footy Scran, a growing database of the most appetizing (or not) food served at stadiums across the world. If you're going to be paying thirty bucks out of pocket for a thing of fries with mayo (oh, sorry, aioli) that …

U.S. lifts Iran oil sanctions. And, federal judge rules SAVE voter tool unlawful

The U.S. has temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran as peace talks continue. And, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's data system, known as SAVE, is unlawful.

Ad-free streaming is a luxury now

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more news about the streaming industry, follow Emma Roth. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it sta…

FIFA Owes a Round of Applause to Nettie Honeyball, the Victorian Pioneer of Women’s Soccer

Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.

Trinkpausen während der WM: Wie die Fifa den Fußball vierteilt

Die Trinkpausen bei der Fußball-WM sind verkappte Werbepausen. Wird Soccer jetzt zum typischen US-Sport? Einige Trainer sind angetan.

T-Mobile is finally letting go of 2G in August, so anyone with it will need to transition

T-Mobile announced the upcoming end of its 2G network, informing customers that they will need to transition to newer phones.

Coinbase's AI Hallucinated a World Cup Match Result Before the Game Even Started

The crypto marketplace sent out a news blast even when its own prediction market listing showed a delay.

The History Behind Norway's 'Viking Row' Goes Much Deeper Than Soccer

From Viking warriors to Erling Haaland’s thunderous strikes, Norway’s famous row is so much more than a viral phenomenon.

These 5 charts show just how unaffordable the 2026 World Cup is for fans

Business Insider analyzed ticket prices, economic data, transit fares, and travel costs to show how the 2026 World Cup is the most expensive yet.

The World Cup Tourists Are Genuinely Fascinated by America, Right?

Some of the people celebrating American excess are not what they seem.

Is It OK to Root For Iran’s World Cup Team? Persians Are Divided.

This may have been the best opening match of the tournament.

DOJ Shuts Down Nearly 400 Sites Hosting Illegal World Cup Live Streams

Operation Offsides

How Nike and Adidas designed World Cup uniforms, balancing national pride with high-tech comfort

Heat. Moisture. National pride.These were top of mind as Nike designed its uniform kits for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including for soccer powerhouses France and Brazil as well as the U.S. and Canada in their role as host nations.In a tournament that has seen …

With a Round of 32 spot already clinched, the U.S. takes on Turkey in the World Cup

Two U.S. wins and two Turkey losses already on the books mean the Americans have won this World Cup group no matter the outcome of Thursday's game. Still, the Americans say they're playing to win.

40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper keeps favorite Spain to 0 goals at World Cup

Vozinha recorded seven saves Monday, holding Spain's star-studded lineup to a shocking 0-0 draw. The veteran keeper was everywhere as the Spanish team and its fans became increasingly frustrated.

A larger World Cup had some worrying the competition would suffer. It hasn't

This year's edition of the FIFA World Cup continues to be thrilling with unexpected performances from tournament first-timers and surprising results from some of the favorites.

The U.S. may face Australia in the World Cup without star Christian Pulisic

The left winger Pulisic was key to the Americans' fluid and effective attack in last week's win over Paraguay. But he was kicked in the calf, left at halftime, and hasn't trained with the team since.

Your cheat sheet to the teams headed to the World Cup semi-finals

We're at the final stretch of the World Cup. It feels like just yesterday, international fans were arriving in the U.S. and marveling at Buc-ee's and unlimited free soda.