FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-elected by acclaim
March 16, 2023 GMTFIFA president Gianni Infantino was re-elected by acclaim to another four-year term on Thursday after suggesting the financial results under his leadership would keep an industry CEO in the job for life.
Report: Qatar spied on Swiss prosecutor, FIFA boss meeting
March 12, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — A spying operation on behalf of World Cup host Qatar bugged a 2017 hotel meeting between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Switzerland’s then-attorney general during an investigation of soccer officials, Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung said Sunday.
Proposal urges FIFA to compensate World Cup labor in Qatar
March 1, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — At an upcoming meeting of national soccer federations, FIFA will be urged to compensate migrant workers and families of those who died or were injured on World Cup projects in Qatar.
The issue will be raised by Norwegian soccer officials at the FIFA Congress meeting on March 16 in Rwanda, human rights group Amnesty International said Wednesday.
Qatar hires coach Carlos Queiroz through the 2026 World Cup
February 6, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Former Portugal and Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has worked at the last four World Cups and was hired on Monday by Qatar to aim for a fifth straight at the next edition hosted in North America.
Qatar player banned after social media post during World Cup
January 19, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar defender Abdelkarim Hassan was handed an indefinite suspension by the country’s soccer federation on Thursday reportedly following an altercation with a fan over social media.
Witness: Bribes helped Fox execs get soccer TV rights
January 19, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government’s star witness in a corruption trial over the broadcasting rights to some of soccer's biggest events testified Wednesday how he and two former Fox executives paid millions of dollars in bribes to undermine competing bids.
Norway soccer leader who confronted Qatar seeks top UEFA job
January 18, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — The Norwegian official who made her reputation in soccer politics with a speech in Doha last year criticizing World Cup host Qatar is seeking to join the UEFA executive committee.
Iraq to host soccer’s Gulf Cup for the first time since 1979
January 5, 2023 GMTAfter decades of war, invasions and instability, Iraq hosts the eight-nation Gulf Cup starting on Friday for the first time since 1979. For the country's soccer officials and government, success off the field will be a bigger prize than success on it.
AP PHOTOS: Qatar bustles with life as World Cup nears end
December 12, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar is still bustling with life just days before the end of the first World Cup in the Middle East.
At Katara beach in Doha, children play soccer on the golden sand during the day, while others go for a swim at night in waters lit by the capital's glimmering skyline.
Four hit with corruption charges over EU lobbying scandal
December 11, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Four people have been charged with being part of a criminal group, money laundering and corruption in connection with an investigation into suspected influence peddling by a Persian Gulf country at the European Union’s parliament, the Belgian federal prosecutors office said Sunday.
Ecstatic Moroccans celebrate World Cup victory over Portugal
December 10, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Ecstatic Moroccans poured into the streets of cities across the North African country and far beyond on Saturday, waving flags, honking horns and lighting flares to celebrate the national soccer team's historic victory over Portugal at the World Cup.
US soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies at World Cup
December 10, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Ronaldo fails again in likely last chance to win World Cup
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo choked up with emotion as the tears ran down his cheeks. He momentarily covered his face with his hand, but couldn't hide his disappointment.
Dutch eliminated from World Cup in Louis van Gaal’s finale
December 10, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — The Dutch were outnumbered in their quarterfinal match at the World Cup.
Argentina had one Lionel Messi and the Netherlands had none.
And still, the Oranje came back and forced extra time in a knockout match for the ages by scoring in the 83rd minute and then on a playground-type restart in the 11th — yes, 11th!
Fan runs on field during Argentina-Netherlands at World Cup
December 9, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — A fan ran onto the field in the 75th minute of Argentina's World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands on Friday, just after Lionel Messi converted a penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.
Morocco coach skeptical World Cup can open door to Europe
December 9, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco coach Walid Regragui has guided his team to the World Cup quarterfinals — the first time an Arab nation has advanced that far in the tournament.
For World Cup visitors, a peek into Islamic art, heritage
December 9, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — An emerald inscribed for a Mughal emperor. A Safavid-period knotted wool carpet. An Ottoman-era curtain, intricately embroidered with metal threads, which was part of the covering of the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure in Mecca that Muslims consider the metaphorical “house of God.”
Which new stars can replace Messi, Ronaldo after World Cup?
December 8, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not ready to say goodbye to the World Cup just yet.
But the clock is ticking on their careers and Qatar could be the last time we see them on soccer’s biggest stage.