Author: Nancy Armour, USA TODAY

Argentina and Germany, two teams considered to be favorites at the World Cup, are facing bleak futures after opening-game upsets.

Iran’s players were silent for national anthem to show support for widespread uprisings prompted by death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody.

Wales’ Gareth Bale converted a penalty in the 82nd minute after USMNT’s Walker Zimmerman hauled him down from behind for a 1-1 draw Monday.

Qatar has been criticized for laundry list of human rights abuses, including exploitation of migrant workers and criminalization of homosexuality.

Two days before the World Cup opens, FIFA reverses course and announces alcoholic beer won’t be sold around stadiums as originally planned.

Alcoholic beer will no longer be sold at the World Cup stadiums in Qatar in a stunning about-face only days before the tournament begins.

USMNT roster for Qatar includes three teenagers and is the second-youngest it has ever sent to a World Cup. Only the 1990 team was younger.

Qatar will be the smallest country to host the World Cup since Switzerland in 1954. The Gulf nation is smaller than the state of Connecticut.

Dan and Tanya Snyder confirm they’ve hired BofA Securities to “consider” offers for Washington Commanders but don’t give details on what that means.

U.S. Soccer’s Participant Safety Taskforce will lead implementation of recommendations from Yates report that found culture of abuse in NWSL.