QATAR

The Arab League has agreed to reinstate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension.

The satellite news network Al Jazeera says that a correspondent for one of its channels held in Egypt since 2019 has been released after nearly four years in pre-trial detention.

Dani Alves has testified in court and told the judge investigating a sexual assault accusation against him that he had consensual sex with the alleged victim.

After meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria’s political fate, a group of regional leaders promised to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Qatar says it has sent 4,000 cabins built to house fans at last year’s World Cup to earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria.

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The expanded World Cup in North America has gotten even more supersized.

A Swedish think tank says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that led to a substantial flow of military aid to Kyiv made Ukraine the world’s third largest importer of arms in 2022.

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been racially abused on social media after voting for Lionel Messi and Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has accused FIFA of disrespect in fallout from the soccer body’s annual awards ceremony.

Testimony from a former ESPN executive is underscoring the high stakes and corruption that has enveloped the world of soccer.

A Spanish court has denied Dani Alves’ appeal to be freed on bail while the investigation of a sexual assault accusation against the Brazilian soccer player continues.

The sale of Manchester United is set to test European rules designed to protect soccer’s integrity from the risks of owners controlling multiple clubs.

Qatar plans to send 10,000 cabins and caravans from last year’s World Cup to provide shelter for survivors of the Turkish earthquakes.

U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart is leaving to join PSV Eindhoven following the departure of American general manager Brian McBride.

The El País newspaper says the woman who accused Dani Alves of sexual assault at a nightclub last year will not seek financial compensation from the Brazil soccer player.

Former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the fallout from the public dispute between coach Gregg Berhalter and the family of young star Gio Reyna is “obviously not looking good” for U.S. soccer.

The major political group embroiled in a massive European Union corruption scandal will seek this week to insulate itself from further fallout in the cash-for-influence affair linked to Qatar and Morocco.

Without question, 2022 will forever go down as a memorable one in the sports world with all that was achieved by athletes and teams around the world.

The minister of higher education in the Taliban government has broken his silence over his decision to ban women from universities.

Argentina’s dramatic victory over France in penalty kicks in the World Cup final has become the most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States.

Argentina’s dramatic World Cup final victory over France is the second most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States.

While there is still much to be sorted out logistically for the event, here is what we know at the moment about World Cup 2026.

A diplomatic delegation from the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup were in Qatar for a handover ceremony ahead of the final between France and Argentina.

Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé head the selections for the team of the tournament as chosen by writers covering the World Cup for The Associated Press.

Morocco’s fans in the Arab world are taking the North African team’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in the World Cup third-place playoff philosophically.

Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup.

The tournament in Qatar has been described by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the “best World Cup ever.”.

FIFA expects to earn $11 billion through 2026 with a 48-team men’s World Cup in North America set to deliver a huge rise in revenue.

The chances of the winning the World Cup might have gone for Croatia and Morocco but “immortality” is at stake when the two teams meet in the third-place playoff.

A cold virus has run through the France squad though coach Didier Deschamps expects all his players to be healthy for the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe has attended to a fan who was apparently struck by a stray practice ball ahead of the World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco.

Argentina’s national carrier has scheduled two extra flights from Buenos Aires to Qatar to take soccer fans to the World Cup final.

Grant Wahl died of a ruptured blood vessel when he was stricken while covering a World Cup match last weekend, according to an autopsy of the well-known American soccer writer.

Luka Modric pulled his shirt up over his face as he trudged over to the sideline.

The sensory rooms located at three World Cup stadiums in Qatar provide a calm and secure environment for children and young adults with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory access requirements.

Morocco has defied expectations and broken down barriers by becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup by beating England 2-1.

American soccer writer Grant Wahl has been honored with a tribute from FIFA on the desk where he was due to work at the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and England.

Ecstatic Moroccans have poured into the streets of their capital and other cities in the North African country to celebrate the national soccer team’s historic victory over Portugal at the World Cup.

The Netherlands remains without a World Cup title, losing to Argentina 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals.

Brazil soccer fans have been shocked into silence back home after the national team was eliminated by Croatia from the World Cup.

A fan ran onto the field in the 75th minute of Argentina’s World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands.

England coach Gareth Southgate has nothing to tell his players just before they leave the locker room to play France in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

The slippery hips of Luka Modric wriggled away from danger.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo did not threaten to leave Qatar after being dropped from the team to play Switzerland at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not ready to say goodbye to the World Cup just yet.

Raheem Sterling will rejoin England’s World Cup squad after a break-in at his home in the U.K. The Chelsea forward had left England’s camp in Qatar to be with his family, which meant he missed his country’s 3-0 win against Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday.

The next World Cup will be the biggest ever after world soccer body FIFA took the leap from a 32-team field to 48 teams in 2026.

Exuberant Moroccans have poured into the streets of their capital and in cities across Europe to celebrate their national soccer team’s historic win against Spain at the World Cup.

Nathan Ake finds it difficult marking Julián Álvarez in training at Manchester City.

The superstar of South Korean soccer has made his exit from the World Cup.

Neymar has started against South Korea in the round of 16 of the World Cup and scored in the first half to move one goal shy of Pelé’s all-time scoring record with Brazil.

FIFA has brought disciplinary charges against Serbia for alleged misconduct by players and fans including offensive chants at a World Cup game against Switzerland.

The image of a young Pelé celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil’s national team appeared brightly on the shirts, flags and banners of Brazilian fans gathering before the Seleçao’s World Cup match against South Korea.

England forward Raheem Sterling has left his team’s World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home.

France defender Jules Kounde was told by a match official to remove two gold chains he was wearing during the defending World Cup champions' match against Poland.

Raheem Sterling has been ruled out of England’s World Cup round of 16 match with Senegal because of a “family matter.”.

Memphis Depay and Daley Blind scored in the first half and Denzel Dumfries added a late goal as the Netherlands eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory that advanced the Dutch to the quarterfinals.

Neymar is back training two days before Brazil’s match against South Korea in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

Switzerland advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup for the third tournament in a row after a 3-2 win over Serbia.

The most controversial goal of the World Cup so far was scored by Japan and it eliminated Germany.

Germany was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup for the second tournament in a row.

French referee Stéphanie Frappart has bocame the first woman to take charge of a men’s World Cup game after blowing her whistle to start Germany’s game against Costa Rica.

It’s time to take note when even Declan Rice admits a mid-season World Cup is proving physically challenging, The workhorse England midfielder said he was feeling the strain after playing three games already in Qatar with a match against Senegal in the round of 16 coming up Sunday.

Argentina is finding a legion of passionate superfans from India, Bangladesh and other Asian countries at the World Cup in Qatar.

Iran's national soccer team has received a subdued welcome home with a few dozen fans greeting them at the capital Tehran's airport and waving flags following their World Cup defeat by the U.S. team.

Brazil forward Neymar is undergoing ankle treatment in a swimming pool to try to recover in time to play again at the World Cup.

A man ran onto the field with what appeared to be a Palestinian flag midway through the second half of the World Cup match between Tunisia and France.

Belgium’s “Golden Generation” meets Croatia’s accomplished veterans in a decisive World Cup match on Thursday.

Soccer fans in Iran's Kurdish majority region have cheered the U.S. win over Iran in a politically charged World Cup, amid ongoing anti-government protests.

U.S. forward Christian Pulisic is day to day after sustaining a pelvic injury during his team’s 1-0 World Cup win against Iran that sent the Americans to the round of 16 of the tournament.

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden both scored to put England into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Wales.

The Biden administration has approved a $1 billion arms sale to Qatar in a transaction unveiled during halftime of the key World Cup 2022 match in Doha between Iran and the United States.

The players for both England and Wales took a knee before their final World Cup group game.

Qatar is to supply liquefied natural gas to Germany under a 15-year deal as the European economic powerhouse scrambles to replace Russian gas supplies that were cut during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A protester ran onto the field carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt that said “SAVE UKRAINE” on the front and “RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN” on the back during a World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay.

The lights at Stadium 974 briefly dimmed dramatically just before halftime during a World Cup match between Brazil and Switzerland.

It's Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in one corner and Lionel Messi in the other.

Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico was the most-watched Spanish-language World Cup group stage broadcast in U.S. history, draw 8.9 million viewers on Telemundo television and the streaming services of Telemundo and Peacock.

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his rematch four years after Uruguay knocked his Portugal team out of the World Cup.

Andrej Kramaric scored a pair of goals and Croatia crushed Canada’s hopes of advancing at its first World Cup in 36 years with a 4-1 victory.

The United States’ 0-0 draw against England in the World Cup drew 19.98 million viewers for English- and Spanish-language broadcasts.

Marcus Rashford didn't think the jeers from England’s fans really were necessary.

Argentines have breathed a collective sigh of relief as the country obtained a 2-0 victory over Mexico dissipating doubts that had emerged about Lionel Messi’s team after the shock loss against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi played in front of 88,966 spectators when Argentina beat Mexico 2-0.

Japanese fans and players get attention at every World Cup because they clean up after themselves after the matches.

Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup.

American players wanted more than a 0-0 draw with England in what was likely the most-watched match of their lives.

The United States has frustrated England in a 0-0 draw for its second consecutive draw in the World Cup.

World Cup host Qatar has been eliminated after just six days and two matches into the tournament.

As dawn broke on another day at the World Cup in Qatar, laborers who built this energy-rich country’s stadiums, roads and subway filled empty stretches of asphalt and sandlots to play cricket.

The World Cup 2010 in South Africa had Shakira.

The Williams brothers have managed to mark both sides of their heritage in the most incredible way at this World Cup in Qatar by playing for two different countries.

The World Cup is drawing record viewership to Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo and Peacock.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first male player to score at five World Cups with a goal for Portugal against Ghana.

Breel Embolo’s goal lifted Switzerland to a 1-0 victory over Cameroon at the World Cup.

King Felipe VI was among those congratulating Spain after its 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in the World Cup opener as “La Roja” put on a masterclass of ball possession and efficient attacking to get off to a good start in its quest to win a second world title.

Canada will have to wait a little longer for its first World Cup win.

Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Michy Batshuayi scored the lone goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win over Canada at the World Cup to spoil the North American team's return to the tournament after 36 years.