Soccer / Women's World Cup Jun 22, 2020
Japan ends bid to host 2023 Women's World Cup, citing Olympic delay
by Dan Orlowitz
The 37-member FIFA Council will now choose between Colombia and a joint Australia-New Zealand bid on Thursday.
Soccer Jun 21, 2020
FIFA stands by evaluation of Colombia's Women's World Cup bid
FIFA is standing by its technical evaluation of Colombia's bid to host the 2023 women's World Cup, telling the country's unhappy soccer chief that the assessment was conducted in a "highly objective" manner. Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesurun wrote to FIFA last week, along ...
Soccer / J. League Jun 10, 2020
J. League to play through international windows during virus-shortened season
The J. League first division will play through international windows sanctioned by FIFA when it restarts following a roughly four-month break brought about by the coronavirus crisis, J. League Chairman Mitsuru Murai said Tuesday. While the J1 normally pauses to accommodate clubs with national team ...
Soccer / J. League Apr 29, 2020
J. League considering allowing five substitutes when matches resume
One league official believes increasing the number of substitutes will make matches more exciting.
Soccer Apr 3, 2020
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino says soccer will be 'totally different' after coronavirus
Soccer will be totally different when it eventually resumes after the coronavirus outbreak, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Thursday. "Football will come back, and when it does, we'll celebrate coming out of a nightmare together," he told the Italian news agency ANSA in an interview. "There ...
Soccer Mar 31, 2020
U.S. judge grants early release to Brazilian in FIFA corruption scandal
A federal judge in New York on Monday granted the release from prison, on humanitarian grounds, of an 87-year-old former senior Brazilian soccer official tarnished by the FIFA corruption scandal. Judge Pamela Chen authorized the release of Jose Maria Marin, a former Brazilian Football Confederation ...
Soccer Dec 12, 2019
Japan submits bid for 2023 Women's World Cup to FIFA
by Dan Orlowitz
Japan is considered a frontrunner in a field that may include a joint Australia-New Zealand bid, a rumored unified Korean bid, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.
Soccer Dec 12, 2019
FIFA to take legal action to recover $2 million payment made to Michel Platini
FIFA is to take legal action by the end of the year to force Michel Platini to return two million Swiss francs ($2 million) he received "illegally" during Sepp Blatter's reign at world soccer's governing body, according to a document seen Wednesday. FIFA banned Platini, ...
More Sports Apr 15, 2019
France showed they were champions in virtual soccer as well as the real game on Sunday when they beat Argentina to win the inaugural FIFA eNations Cup and a $40,000 prize. Twenty countries from six confederations were entered in the esports event, with World Cup ...
Soccer Feb 23, 2019
FIFA bans Chelsea from signing players for a year over violations
Just hours after Chelsea win in the Europa league earned its under-fire ex-banker coach Maurizio Sarri some breathing space, the club owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was handed another blow: A ban on signing new players. The English team will not be allowed to ...
Soccer Feb 7, 2019
Japan jumped 23 spots to No. 27 in the FIFA world rankings announced Thursday following its runner-up finish in the just-concluded Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The Samurai Blue placed in the top 30 for the first time since 2013. They ranked No. ...
Soccer / World Cup Jun 15, 2018
Rapture in Russia after team's stunning World Cup 5-0 opener over Saudi Arabia
Russian fans and politicians joined in an outpouring of jubilation on Thursday as the host nation unexpectedly routed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the World Cup. State television showed throngs of Russians outside Moscow's main stadium cheering with flags but also stunned ...