LOS ANGELES — Julian Ryerson hadn't learned to walk the last time Norway played in the World Cup. He was just 7 months old then, and if he had known his country was going to go 0 for the 21st century when it came to World Cup qualifying, he might have considered pursuing a sport other than soccer.

But that drought will finally end next week ...Read more

SEATTLE — This week, travelers from all around the world will descend on the United States and Seattle for the FIFA Men's World Cup, the monthlong soccer celebration unmatched in its size, scope and global interest.

The World Cup remains the most watched sporting event in the world. FIFA, the global governing body for the sport, announced ...Read more

CHICAGO — Local immigration advocates are calling for more welcoming visa policies for the World Cup tournament after members of the Iraqi national team were denied entry at O’Hare International Airport late last week.

Several members of the Iraqi team were detained for questioning on June 5 upon their arrival at O’Hare, the busiest ...Read more

IRVINE, Calif. — Most of the time in soccer, one of the first things a team does is set its starting goalkeeper. But for the U.S. men, it appears that will be one of the last things that happens.

Leading candidates Matt Freese and Matt Turner have said in recent days that they don’t know who will get the nod for Friday’s group stage ...Read more

IRVINE, Calif. — In January 1993, the U.S. men’s national soccer team arrived at its training facility ahead of the 1994 World Cup at a community park in Mission Viejo.

Torrential rains rendered the two grass fields unplayable. The clubhouse was three months from completion. Players changed across the street in a strip mall next to a ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — A strike that had the potential to disrupt the U.S. World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium has been averted, with United Here Local 11 and Legends Global, the stadium's food-service operator, agreeing Tuesday to a tentative deal.

The nearly 2,000 workers represented by the union, which includes dishwashers, concession workers, ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — FIFA has revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team's three World Cup group games, the country's football federation said Tuesday.

Each federation for the 48 teams taking part in the World Cup typically receives and distributes 9% of stadium capacity. However, with Iran scheduled to begin play June 15 against New ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — A roster loaded with generational talent, a lengthy unbeaten streak, a successful qualification run highlighted by a convincing win against Argentina, a World Cup in the United States, a sexy pick to win in it all, belief, hope, dreams, aspirations, expectations.

It all seems so familiar.

It all seems so frightening.

Colombia’...Read more

LOS ANGELES — More men have been elected president of the United States than have played for the U.S. in a World Cup game on home soil.

It is among the rarest of achievements in a country that has achieved so much.

Two dozen Americans have flown to the moon, 116 have sat on the Supreme Court, 25 have run a mile in under 3:51 and 76 have won ...Read more

SEATTLE — The sale of the Seattle Seahawks — expected to happen over the next few months — will bring to an end the almost 30-year involvement of Paul and Jody Allen with major professional sports in this city.

It’s a three-decade run that could hardly be ending on a higher note with the Seahawks winning their second Super Bowl in ...Read more

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani slammed President Donald Trump’s role in the World Cup as players, coaches and fans arriving for the FIFA World Cup come up against the president’s hardline immigration agenda.

The mayor voiced concerns about the denial of visas for journalists from tournament-qualifying countries on the ...Read more

My first soccer World Cup memory was watching Argentina’s Diego Maradona arrogantly juggling the ball on his shoulders, before the opening game of the Italia 1990 World Cup.

I watched the grainy television in Ghana, as star-studded Argentina suffered a shocking defeat to underdog Cameroon but still went to the final, eventually losing to ...Read more

Christian Pulisic looked exhausted as he stepped from a yellow cab on the edge of Manhattan's financial district for a promotional event arranged by his shoe sponsor.

A day earlier, he had been booed off the field after going scoreless in his final 17 games with AC Milan. And as Pulisic's private jet made its way from Italy to New York, the ...Read more

Here are two words for anyone in America still complaining — on the verge of the World Cup — about stratospheric ticket prices or get-off-my-lawn dismissing a sport where 1-0 can be framed an insurmountable lead:

Stop it.

Here are two more words:

Enjoy it.

The World Cup an event to binge watch starting with Thursday’s opening game. ...Read more

CHICAGO — The big crowd was buzzing, the fireworks were rising and local legend Jim Cornelison was belting out the national anthem in his famous way.

But the mood lasted barely 43 seconds after the U.S. men’s soccer team’s last World Cup tuneup kicked off.

That’s what the clock read when midfielder and longtime locker room leader Tyler...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — There already was plenty for Americans to digest as July 4, 1994, approached.

The nation was still reeling from watching O.J. Simpson’s white Ford Bronco charging down California highways with officers in pursuit.

Tonya Harding was being banned from the U.S. Figure Skating Association for her role in the attack on Nancy ...Read more

A few hours after Lionel Messi and the Argentine World Cup team checked into their training base in Kansas City, Mo., a series of thunderstorms pounded the area, knocking out power, felling trees and bringing flood and tornado warnings.

Hardly ideal conditions for the world's biggest soccer tournament. Yet that's likely just the opening salvo ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Tijuana, Mexico, is set to become the Iran national soccer team’s base camp for the next several days, with the delegation expected to arrive on Sunday.

Iran is one of 48 teams competing in the quadrennial FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The team was ...Read more

CHICAGO — The U.S. men’s soccer team gave perennial power Germany a good game on Saturday in both squads’ last contest before the World Cup. But the four-time champions prevailed, 2-1, before a festive crowd of 63,636 that endured an early rainstorm before enjoying the rest of the day in the sunshine.

Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané scored ...Read more