Was Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final a one-off? Don't be so sure. Only five of the 11 players who started the 2018 final are still in the squad led by the 37-year-old Luka Modrić but Croatia's rebuild fuses that experienced core with a talented new generation.
Women's rights are back in focus as Iran's national soccer team prepares for the World Cup . They were never that far away. Anti-government protests have engulfed the Islamic Republic following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly wearing a mandatory headscarf too loosely.
NEW YORK (AP) The United States team's top player has been buried on his club’s bench, starting only two matches this season. Two goalkeepers took demotions to England’s second division and the third hasn’t gotten a single Premier League minute.
GENEVA (AP) FIFA came under pressure Wednesday from several European soccer federations who want their captains to wear an armband with a rainbow heart design during World Cup games in Qatar to campaign against discrimination.
NEW YORK (AP) Fox plans to avoid coverage of Qatar’s controversial treatment of migrant workers during World Cup broadcasts, much as it didn’t address criticism of Russia’s government during the 2018 tournament .