The international break in soccer will offer the last chance to see Lionel Messi play for Argentina.

Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all.

The U.S. and France will meet for the women's FIBA World Cup title Sunday in a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympic final that the Americans won by a point.

Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé are contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino vows to change the attitude and habits of the men's national soccer team as he starts a second term.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election despite growing calls for him to step down from his position as the head of world soccer’s governing body.

An acrimonious trade war between the United States and Canada is threatening to reinforce the resolve of Canadians who stopped visiting the U.S. last year.

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun has been left out of Monaco’s squad for the Conference League amid uncertainty over his future after the collapse of his proposed transfer to Everton this week.

The move of United States international Folarin Balogun from Monaco to Everton is reported to be off after problems arose during the medical examination.

Barcelona’s World Cup winners with Spain will not be honored by the club at its first home game of the season because of an incident involving the “estelada” flag, Catalonia’s pro-independence symbol.

FIFA on Friday handed bans to three Argentina players, led by a 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes, for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final.

Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri has arrive in Barcelona to seal his transfer from Manchester City to the Catalan club.

Dan Bergstrom, the Houston Dynamo’s Director of Sports Turf & Grounds, played a crucial role in preparing the stadium’s natural grass field for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in Houston.

Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri appears to be heading back home after Manchester City and Barcelona reached an agreement over the midfielder’s move.

Americans unexpectedly cut their spending in July by the biggest drop since May 2025, raising doubts about the resiliency of consumers who have kept spending and powering the economy despite the rising costs of daily expenses.

Lionel Messi has shared a tribute to his late father, Jorge, on social media, opening up about how difficult it was to lead Argentina to the World Cup final and expressing uncertainty about whether he will continue playing soccer.

A misdemeanor gun charge against All-Star Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden in Texas has been dismissed after he completed an alternative resolution program allowing him to avoid a criminal record.

Norway’s soccer federation wants Gianni Infantino to step down immediately, piling more pressure on FIFA’s embattled president.

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts as members of the U.S. women’s national team next month.

The U.S. men’s national team will kick off the next World Cup cycle with four matches over 11 days on home soil.

Two senior FIFA executives have distanced themselves from their boss Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.

Mauricio Pochettino is staying with the U.S. soccer team, agreeing to a four-year contract to coach the Americans through the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA has lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese admits he's still not over the United States' exit from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Belgium.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family.

Cape Verde has made more World Cup history with Sidny Lopes Cabral winning the public vote for goal of the tournament.

Cristian Volpato, who represented Australia at the World Cup, has allegedly tested positive for cocaine and also for speeding, New South Wales state police said.

Industry data and analytics company Luminate has found that the 2026 World Cup halftime performers experienced considerable jumps in the streams of the songs they performed live at the final on Sunday.

President Donald Trump is expected to rally in Oakland County on Monday as early voting begins in Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called on Gianni Infantino to resign as head of FIFA.

Lionel Messi has arrived back in Argentina for some rest after the World Cup final against Spain.

The World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico wasn't perfect, but has still been widely hailed as a success.

The World Cup produced hundreds of spectacular moments and The Associated Press covered all 104 games over 39 days in the United States, Canada and Mexico from every angle.

Spanish soccer has reached a level of its own.

FIFA has opened an investigation after Spain’s celebrations on beating Argentina in the World Cup final took an ugly turn when players briefly clashed on the field.

Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team has returned home to an estimated crowd of almost 2 million.

Madonna opened the World Cup halftime show with her 2000 dance-pop hit “Music,” joined by star Brazilian soccer players of yesteryear, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Spain substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give his team a 1-0 win over defending champion Argentina in the World Cup final.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino got some serious air time over the course of the 2026 World Cup.

President Donald Trump has presented the World Cup trophy to Spain, the winner of Sunday’s final against Argentina.

Kylian Mbappé kept the Golden Boot award and Spain wouldn’t let Lionel Messi get anything else.

Kylian Mbappé moved past Lionel Messi for the career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals, scoring twice for France in a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place match.

Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi’s career World Cup scoring record and took the lead in the Golden Boot race with a pair of second-half goals.

Meteorologists say smoke from the Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final on Sunday, thanks to thunderstorms passing through the area.

Multiple StubHub customers, including Dallas-area fan Benjamin Carlson, have had their World Cup tickets canceled just before matches despite purchasing them months in advance.

To get in the spirit for the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, The Associated Press has made a themed playlist.

The World Cup has been a bonanza for beer in the United States.

England hired a German coach to end 60 years of hurt but will exit the World Cup in the most English of ways.

England desperately wanted to protect its lead as time was winding down in the World Cup semifinals.

The World Cup final is set for Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featuring a clash between Argentina and Spain.

More than 100 inmates at the sprawling Rikers Island correctional facility gathered in a gymnasium at the complex’s main intake center to watch Wednesday’s semifinal match between England and Argentina.

Dennis Hetu of Katy, Texas, filed complaints with the Texas Attorney General and plans to contact the FTC after StubHub canceled his $15,000-$20,000 World Cup ticket purchase for a Houston match.

Lionel Messi delivered for his teammates.

Kylian Mbappé had France poised for another run to the World Cup final with a team that seemingly had the offensive firepower to solve Spain’s stout defense.

Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 and reach the World Cup final.

Kylian Mbappé won’t get a third consecutive trip to the World Cup final and remains tied for first with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot four years after he won it.

It’s England vs.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a heady play by teenager Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro added another goal and Spain advanced to its first World Cup final since winning in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France.

Jerry Jones finally made it to the World Cup at the home of his Dallas Cowboys.

China has reported its export picked up pace in June, jumping 27% from a year earlier thanks to strong demand from the boom in artificial intelligence.

A Jay-Z concert at Yankee Stadium was delayed for hours after hundreds of fans without tickets tried to push their way into the show, forcing the iconic New York City stadium to temporarily close entrances before the rapper could take the stage after midnight.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is facing backlash for comments about France's World Cup team ahead of their semifinal match.

Julián Alvarez has sent Argentina into the World Cup semifinals with a stunning long-range strike in extra time against Switzerland.

Erling Haaland’s day ended earlier than many expected.

Lionel Messi and Argentina are playing for a World Cup semifinal spot in Kansas City, Missouri, and Jason Sudeikis is paying attention.

Norway and England both had South Florida heat to worry about in their World Cup quarterfinal clash in Miami Gardens.

Germany’s soccer federation says it has held talks with Jurgen Klopp and both sides are confident he will take over as national team coach after the country’s disappointing exit from the World Cup.

Unai Simón's impressive World Cup scoreless streak has ended.

Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory.

World Cup ticket resale prices dropped for quarterfinal matches following the elimination of co-hosts United States and Mexico, and FIFA has nearly 1,200 seats on sale for the final at $7,380.

Ashleigh Hallam teaches English at her local library in Indiana.

Kylian Mbappé shook off a missed penalty kick to score his eighth goal of the World Cup, helping France to beat Morocco 2-0 and reach the semifinals for the third time in a row.

England defender Jarell Quansah has been given a two-match suspension for his red card offense against Mexico in the World Cup round of 16.

U.S. star Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg during the Americans’ World Cup loss to Belgium and will be sidelined for several weeks.

Game balls for World Cup matches have become stars in their own right during the tournament.

Egypt's national soccer team has made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

Lionel Messi let the tears flow at the final whistle, succumbing to emotion after Argentina conjured up an incredible two-goal comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

The U.S. men's national soccer team remains stagnant despite growth in American soccer.

Folarin Balogun’s presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of soccer, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans’ 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16.

The United States’ hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans’ defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth.

Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The relationship between Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been long in the making and is now at the center of one of the great World Cup controversies.

FIFA’s stunning decision to lift the suspension of a star U.S. player riled the host country's World Cup opponent, Belgium.

President Donald Trump is taking credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued at the World Cup against the United States’ star forward but says he did not demand an outcome.

The Belgian soccer federation is demanding an explanation from FIFA about a decision to let U.

Flavio Cobolli and Jasmine Paolini both reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals on a big day for Italy at the grass-court Grand Slam.

With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.

Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, Harry Kane converted a penalty when England was down to 10 men, and the Three Lions handed Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, a wild 3-2 victory to reach the quarterfinals.

Erling Haaland headed in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time, carrying Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-1 win over Brazil that showcased the young striker on soccer’s biggest stage.

As FIFA draws fans from around the world to Houston, many international visitors are spending America’s 250th Independence Day experiencing an American Fourth of July for the very first time at the City of Houston’s Freedom Over Texas celebration.

Reed Hoffmann, a freelance photographer for The Associated Press, captures unique moments at the World Cup.

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Canada in the World Cup Round of 16 Saturday to make the country the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has waved a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his team's victory over Australia in the World Cup.

Jhon Arias scored in the opening minutes for Colombia, and Los Cafeteros held on the rest of the way for a 1-0 win over Ghana and a spot in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

Vozinha's dream was for his mother to see him play at the World Cup, and he achieved that and more.

Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.

If you’re planning to visit downtown Houston on Saturday morning, be prepared for traffic delays as several streets will be closed for two World Cup Fan Walks.

United States forward Folarin Balogun says he respectfully disagrees with his red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup.

The World Cup match between Mexico and England on Sunday will remain at the original scheduled time despite concerns about a potential afternoon thunderstorm.

LeBron James is at the center of NBA attention despite a wave of trades.