World cup soccer

Ex-FIFA chief Sepp Blatter backs boycott of US World Cup over Trump policies

Sepp Blatter backed calls to boycott the US hosted World Cup, as international soccer figures raised concerns over travel bans and immigration policies under the Trump administration.

Joseph S. Blatter attends a press conference at the Extraordinary FIFA Executive Committee Meeting at the FIFA headquarters on July 20, 2015.
A match ball is seen in front of a Pride flag during the round 21 A-League Women's match between Newcastle Jets and Western United at No.2 Sportsground, on March 30, 2025, in Newcastle, Australia.

FIFA assigns LGBT-themed World Cup game to Iran, where homosexuality is punishable by death

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, District of Columbia, USA Dec 5, 2025.

US President DonaldTrump wins FIFA's inaugural peace prize after Nobel controversy

Official FIFA World Cup 2026 host city poster collection. Toronto, Canada.

Messi's Argentina, Ronaldo's Portugal, alongside best World Cup games to watch from Israel


Palestinian flag causes tension at Israel’s first U-20 World Cup game

On Sunday, Israel lost 2-1 in the first match of the first round of the U-20 World Cup, which features the world’s best soccer talent under 20 years old.

 A demonstrator holding an umbrella with colors of Palestinian flag stands by an Israeli flag during a protest.

Israel's young soccer stars fall to Colombia at U20s World Cup

Despite valiant effort and even taking 1-0 second-half lead, Israel surrenders two late tallies in defeat • Senegal on tap

 COLOMBIA'S OSCAR CORTES scores his side’s first goal past Israel ’keeper Tomer Zarfati from the penalty spot in the 74th minute of the blue-and-white’s 2-1 loss to the South American side at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina

U20 National Team kicks off World Cup

After tournament moved to Argentina, blue-and-white grouped with Japan, Colombia and Senegal

 MEMBERS OF the Israel Under-20 National Team take part in an event with the Buenos Aires Jewish community this week prior to the start of the FIFA U20 World Cup.

A corny gesture: Argentina farmer grows cornfield shaped like Lionel Messi's face

An agricultural engineer's algorithm calculated exactly where the seeds should be sown. The result: half a million square meters of Lionel Messi.

 The face of Argentine football star Lionel Messi is depicted in a corn field sown with a special algorithm to plant seeds in a certain pattern to create a huge visual image when the corn plants grow, in Los Condores, on the outskirts of Cordoba, Argentina January 15, 2023.

After refusal to host Israel, Indonesia stripped of under-20 soccer World Cup

Indonesia's football federation said it had canceled the draw after the governor of the island of Bali refused to host Israel's team.

 People carry placards during a protest against Israel outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 21, 2021.

'I considered performing naked' - Argentina's nat'l anthem singer

Lali Espósito, who had been harassed the night that Argentina won the FIFA World Cup, told about the surprising thought that crossed her mind that night.

 19th Latin Grammy Awards – Photo Room – Las Vegas

The World Cup is over. Will Qatar honor the AlUla agreement?

Qatar did not agree to the 13 conditions imposed by the boycotting countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and experts expect Qatar to return to its previous activities

 A general view shows Pearl Island, an artificial island spanning nearly four square kilometres, ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup soccer tournament at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar November 17, 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Middle East, signs with Saudi team

The deal between Ronaldo and the Saudi Arabian team is said to last until 2025.

 A general view of an Al Nassr soccer jersey and Cristiano Ronaldo's surname and number on a heat press, after it was announced the player has signed a contract with the club, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 31, 2022.

World Cup: Fitting in with Israelis by watching soccer - opinion

Forty years in this country, and I finally care about soccer. Not local soccer, perhaps, but at least international soccer.

 Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 Argentina players celebrate winning the World Cup

An 11-year-old Israeli soccer player with a bright future

Costs threatened to keep a promising young soccer player off the field. Degel Menashe stepped in and paid for the travel expenses.

 Soccer practice never stops: Dan Haokip in his bedroom.