It Was Supposed to Be Lamine Yamal’s World Cup. Spain Is Still Waiting for His Breakout.

The teenage prodigy has lit up Europe for the past two seasons. But in America this summer, he remains stuck on a single goal.

Argentina Scrapes Through to Another World Cup Semifinal

For the third straight game, the defending champions suffered through a nail-biter. And for a third straight game, Lionel Messi and Co. prevailed.

Everyone Hates the World Cup’s Instant Replay. This Country Actually Banned It.

While the rest of European soccer has adopted VAR, a vocal supporters’ movement helped keep it out of Sweden

The World Cup Has Delivered a Final Four for the Ages

With France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina, the tournament has boiled down to the top four teams in the world for the first time in its modern history

This Nation Breaks Every Rule of U.S. Youth Sports-and Built a World Cup Monster

Norway’s Erling Haaland is one of soccer’s most fearsome and competitive stars. He grew up in a place where winning and losing hardly mattered.

Kylian Mbappé Is Turning France Into the World Cup’s Irresistible Force

With a 2-0 victory over Morocco, Les Bleus reached the semifinals for the third time in a row

The 13-Minute Blitz That Just Saved Lionel Messi From a World Cup Disaster

Argentina’s hopes of repeating as champion looked all but over when it trailed Egypt by two goals late in the second half, until a frantic rally turned the tide

All Eyes Were on the U.S. Soccer Team. Then It Collapsed Spectacularly.

In the wake of President Trump’s intervention, the Americans hoped to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Instead, they’re going home.

Belgium Ends Team USA’s World Cup Run After Political Firestorm

Folarin Balogun returned to the lineup after an intervention by President Trump. But he couldn’t carry the Americans to their first quarterfinal since 2002 as the U.S. slumped to a 4-1 defeat.

The U.S. Soccer Star at the Center of the World Cup’s Most Stunning Controversy

Folarin Balogun elected to represent the U.S. in 2023 for the chance to play at a home World Cup. He never imagined that a refereeing call against him would become an international incident.

Trump Makes a Call and U.S. Soccer Gets a Star Back—and the World Cup Is Raging

Folarin Balogun is cleared to play after the president asks FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to reconsider a one-game ban

Inside the White House Campaign to Overturn a World Cup Red Card

The decision by FIFA to rescind U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension followed a rapid response from the Trump administration—and a personal call from the president.

The World Cup’s 6-Foot-5 ‘Terminator’ Eliminates Brazil

Brazil entered its round-of-16 tilt on Sunday with the pedigree of a record five World Cup championships. But underdog Norway came with the most lethal scoring weapon in the sport.

England Survives the Terror of the Azteca to Defeat Mexico in World Cup Epic

The Three Lions became just the third team to win a competitive match at the iconic stadium, despite their knack for self-sabotage

Trump’s Friends Gave Him Tickets to World Cup, Super Bowl and Ryder Cup

Federal disclosures show the president received dozens of tickets from team owners and allies to major sporting events

Team USA Survives With 10 Men to Keep Its Historic World Cup Run Alive

Despite a second-half red card, the Americans sank Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to win their first World Cup knockout game in 24 years

Germany Crashes Out of the World Cup—in the Least German Way Possible

The four-time champions had won every single World Cup penalty shootout they’d ever been involved in. At least until they came up against Paraguay in the round of 32.