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					<![CDATA[Cristiano Ronaldo's Epic Game vs. Spain Joins Top World Cup Moments List]]>
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				    <![CDATA[The World Cup is defined by memorable moments. Counting down to the top 100 of all-time.]]>
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				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:26:14 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[What comes to mind when you think of the top men's FIFA World Cup moments? It could be Diego Maradona carving through England's defense for the Goal of the Century. Or, a legend like Pelé or Lionel Messi raising the trophy up high into the sky. Or something more controversial, like Cristiano Ronaldo's wink after getting Wayne Rooney sent off. Leading up to this summer, we're counting down the most iconic, most controversial, most defining moments in tournament history. Check out today's entry, but keep on reading as we count down to the BEST World Cup moment ever. JUMP TO: 100-90 | 89-80 | 79-70 | 69-60 | 59-50 | Stay Tuned For More No. 100: Pure Control, Pure Class, Pure Messi In 2018, the pressure on Lionel Messi was building. Argentina's star captain had gone scoreless through two games, including a 3-0 loss to Croatia. He needed to do something against Nigeria. That's when the Messi magic appeared. Argentina went on to win the game and advance. An unbelievable first touch from Lionel Messi that saved Argentina. And while La Albiceleste were eliminated by eventual champions France in the round of 16, Messi's sublime goal was perhaps the best of the tournament. No. 99: Red Card for … Celebrating?! Vincent Aboubakar made history for Cameroon when he scored a game-winning goal against Brazil in 2022, the first time an African country had defeated the five-time champions in a World Cup setting. The problem was that he was then sent off for excessive celebration. The Indomitable Lions were still eliminated despite the win, with the Brazilians advancing to the knockout rounds. Nonetheless, it was punishment worth the moment of shirtless joy. It even seemed like the referee felt a bit bad for having to hand out that red card. No. 98: Cuauhtémoc Blanco Leaps Into History Trying to shake off around two defenders? You should think about trying this trademark move created by one of the greatest Mexican players to ever live. It was so nice, it's known throughout the world as the "Cuauhtemiña." At the 1998 World Cup, Cuauhtémoc Blanco clamped the ball between his feet did his best impression of a kangaroo by hopping between two South Korean defenders. It may not have produced a goal, but the player from el barrio bravo de Tepito produced a move that has immediately leaped into the hearts and minds of soccer fans since. No. 97: Klinsmann's Roundhouse Flick Long before he coached the United States men's national team at the 2014 World Cup, Jürgen Klinsmann scored a ton of goals for Germany, including this stunner against South Korea. Klinsmann, who four years earlier had helped his country win the World Cup for the third time, would turn what looked like a routine pass reception with his back to the goal into one of the most memorable goals of USA ‘94 with one swivel of his hips. No. 96: This Free Kick Changed USA Soccer History The U.S. men's national team hadn't made a splash at the World Cup in decades – but that all changed it the USA hosted the 1994 edition. It was thanks to a wonder-goal against Switzerland by the USA star Eric Wynalda. Wynalda's unstoppable, curling free kick just before the teams headed to the dressing rooms nearly blew the roof off the Silverdome in suburban Detroit. The match ended 1-1. That point, plus an upset win over Colombia a few days later, was enough to send the USA to the second round, where they took eventual champ Brazil to extra time before losing 1-0. No. 95: One Of the Best Opening Goals Ever In 2006, Germany legend Philipp Lahm scored one of the best opening goals to a World Cup ever. From a distance, Lahm (wearing a cast on his right arm following a recent injury) curled the ball perfectly into the top corner past Costa Rica keeper José Francisco Porras. Of course, it was even sweeter as the Germans were hosting the tournament with high hopes of winning it all on home soil. The hosts fell in the semifinals but Lahm's amazing technique and control on this goal in Munich will be one of the tournament's highlights. No. 94: A Volley For The Ages Tim Cahill is arguably Australia's best men's soccer player ever and that's due to his ability to score in big moments at the World Cup. That included this spectacular volley at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where he showed his technique and ability against the Netherlands. A looping long pass from one side to the Porto Alegre pitch to the other, Cahill one-timed the shot into the net at the perfect angle as the ball kissed the underside of the bar. A stellar goal followed by his trademark fighting-the-corner-flag celebration. No. 93: This Rule Proved Too Cruel A new rule was introduced in the 1998 World Cup round of 16: Golden Goal. Score in extra time, and it’s over. Hosts France were deadlocked with Paraguay at 0-0 going into extra time in their round of 16 matchup at Lens. The ball found Laurent Blanc at the edge of the six-yard box, and he buried it to end the match at 1-0. France advanced; Paraguay was eliminated on the spot. France went on to win it all, but it would be one of the final few countries to benefit from the cruel rule, as it was scrapped altogether six years later. No. 92: First Back-to-Back Champs It didn't take long for the World Cup to have its first dynasty. After lifting the trophy on home soil at the second-ever World Cup in 1934, Italy did it again at France 1938, stamping its legacy forever. Italy might not be the most famous repeat World Cup champions of all time, but it will go down in history as the first. No. 91: A Goal That Deserved A Happier Ending Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal for Scotland in the 1978 FIFA World Cup would have sent them to the knockout stage if they hadn’t fallen short on goal difference against the Netherlands. Gemmill had Scottish fans dreaming of an upset against one of the world's best sides. In the 68th minute, the diminutive midfielder danced away from three Dutch defenders before lobbing a left-footed finish over the keeper Jan Jongbloed. With a two-goal lead, it seemed Scotland would advance. But it was to no avail as the Dutch scored minutes later, leaving the heartbroken Scots wondering what could have been. Instead, the Netherlands advanced on goal-difference and would go on to make a second consecutive World Cup final appearance. No. 90: The Ultimate Team Goal 25 passes. Nine players. One iconic goal for Argentina. At the 2006 World Cup (the first one in which Lionel Messi appeared), Argentina faced a stern test against Serbia in the group stage. It was one of those games where the underdogs knew they would have to be sharp on defense to keep a far more talented Argentina side at bay. Except it didn't work that way, and Argentina pounced from the get-go with an early goal in the sixth minute by Maxi Rodriguez. And that's when the Albiceleste magic took over. In the 31st minute, a patient ballet of teamwork that involved a combination of on-target passes led to Hernán Crespo looping a ball to early-match substitute Esteban Cambiasso. Goal, Argentina. Four more followed – including Messi's first ever at a World Cup.  But Cambiasso's strike stood above all that day. No. 89: A Controversial Goal Affects Three Teams One of the toughest groups at the 2022 World Cup featured Germany (four-time champions), Spain (2010 champions), always talented Japan, and feisty Costa Rica. So you knew that this group was going to have some fireworks. That happened on the final matchday. Germany facing Costa Rica and Japan taking on Spain with all four teams having hope of advancing. At halftime of both matches, it seemed like Spain and Germany would advance, while Japan and Costa Rica would go home. But the script was then ripped apart. In the 51st minute of the Japan-Spain game, Kaoru Mitoma chases the ball down — it looks out. But he crosses it to Ao Tanaka, who scores off an improbable angle. VAR says the ball remained in play by the slimmest of margins. The goal stands. Japan topped the group. Spain also advanced. Germany was eliminated despite beating Costa Rica. Joy and heartbreak all around. No. 88: Three Yellow Cards And One Red-Faced Referee Soccer is known for its simplicity of rules when compared to other major sports. And one of the most well-known rules is that when you get two yellow cards, that equates to a red card and therefore an automatic dismissal from the game. Which is why an error by England official Graham Poll at the 2006 World Cup was so memorable. Poll had shown Croatia's Josip Šimunić two yellow cards in the group-stage finale against Australia, but the player inexplicably stayed on. Only until a third card was shown to Šimunić that the defender actually left the pitch. It was the last World Cup game Poll ever worked as he asked not to be considered for future tournaments on account of his unforgettable mistake. No. 87: Matador Magic! A Star Rises For Mexico at France '98 When your nickname is "El Matador," you better have a killer instinct in front of the net. Luis Hernandez had that and then some as a star striker for Mexico at the 1998 World Cup. By beating South Korea and tying Belgium in their first two group stage games at France ‘98, Mexico appeared well-positioned to progress to the knockout rounds. Still, advancing was not guaranteed. And with the Netherlands looming in their final first-round match, the nerves of El Tri fans were, understandably, frayed. They stayed that way until almost the last kick of the ball. Mexico was losing 2-1 to the Dutch as the contest entered stoppage time. In the other Group E finale being played simultaneously, the Koreans and Belgians were tied. If El Tri lost and Belgium managed to score a late winner, they’d advance at Mexico’s expense. Hernandez, with his trademark flowing blonde hairstyle, wasn’t about to leave anything to chance. Instead of relying on another result, the striker known as "El Matador" pounced on a botched clearance in the box by Dutch center back Jaap Stam and stabbed the ball into the net. The goal pulled Mexico level in the 94th minute. When the final whistle blew moments later, Mexico was en route to the round of 16. No. 86: Hungary's Record Scoreline El Salvador was desperate to produce a respectable showing in just its second tournament appearance, having lost all three of their games and failing to score a goal at the 1970 event. But a lack of funding meant they took just 20 players, two short of the roster limit, and were the last team to arrive for competition. Add in an overly aggressive gameplan from young coach Mauricio "Pipo" Rodriguez, and the result was a 10-1 loss to Hungary in their opener. It remains the most lopsided scoreline in World Cup history. The performance was so humiliating that when ES forward Luis Ramírez Zapata scored to make it 5-1, some of his teammates implored him to tone down his celebration, lest he make the Hungarians angry. Maybe he did; László Kiss came off the bench to score a seven-minute hat trick (also a record) and Hungary added two more goals before the final whistle to complete the rout. No. 85: Bulgaria's Superstar Takes Over Summer of '94 Bulgaria were considered an afterthought. But one man made sure the world remembered them. At the 1994 World Cup, Hristo Stoichkov couldn't be stopped. After converting two penalties against Greece, the Barcelona legend scored against Argentina to secure a place in the knockout round. Then, the magic really started. In the Round of 16, Stoichkov bagged a 6th minute goal, as Bulgaria took down Mexico on penalties. Next came defending champions Germany. Trailing 1-0 in the 75th minute, he and Yordan Letchkov scored three minutes apart for the win. Stoichkov and Bulgaria would ultimately lose in the semifinals, but it was truly an unforgettable run. No. 84: No Era Penal Mexico benefited from some good fortune just to make it to Brazil 2014 — if not for a late goal by their archrival United States versus Panama, El Tri would've failed to qualify out of CONCACAF — but there they were, just moments away from finally reaching the elusive quinto partido, or fifth game, at a World Cup. Then their luck ran out. With just two minutes of the 90 to play, the Dutch made it 1-1 through Wesley Sneijder. Mexico captain Rafa Márquez was then whistled for tripping Arjen Robben inside the penalty box deep into second-half stoppage time. Replays showed that Robben had theatrically embellished the contact, if there was any at all. It wasn't a penalty. That didn't matter. VAR was still four years away from its World Cup debut. Without video review, the call on the field stood, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored from the spot, and Mexico were eliminated in the round of 16 for the sixth straight tournament. No. 83: Sneijder Stands Tall in Dutch Rally At 5-foot-7, Wesley Sneijder was never an imposing figure for the Netherlands. But he knew how to rise in big moments, such as his standout two-goal performance against Brazil in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals. The Brazilians were up early on Robinho's goal in the quarterfinal match, playing about as sound as anyone else in the tournament. But then the Dutch took over. Sneijder first had a deep wide cross that seemingly floated forever and slipped past Brazil keeper Julio Cesar's punchout before skimming off Felipe Melo’s head and into the net. Then it was the diminutive dynamo who scored again to complete the comeback, sneaking through the penalty area and finding space for an improbable header. Even he couldn't believe it, grasping his forehead in delight. But it's the win that kept the Netherlands marching on and eventually reaching the final. No. 82: No Option For Zaire In Loss To Brazil Zaire’s qualification for the 1974 World Cup was a watershed moment for the country. They were the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to make it, and just the third from that continent overall. But what should have been a joyous tournament for Zaire's players turned sinister. After losing their opener 2-0 to Scotland, the players were informed that they wouldn’t be paid their World Cup bonuses. They intended to boycott their next match, against Yugoslavia, but relented after threats from the country’s president, dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Following a 9-0 loss — tied for the most one-sided scoreline in World Cup history — Mobutu told the team not to bother coming home if they lost to Brazil by more than four goals. So, down three late in the game, Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga raced from the defensive wall and booted the ball down the field. He was yellow-carded for time-wasting, but it was worth it: Brazil didn’t score again, and the match finished 3-0. A lackluster but perhaps life-saving performance for a country who are now trying to qualify in 2026 – this time with hopes of a better outcome. No. 81: South Korea Saves Mexico; Germany Hopes Dashed "¡Coreano! Hermano! Ya eres mexicano!" At the 2018 World Cup, this is how Son Heung-min and South Korea ousted the defending champions and helped out a very grateful Mexico squad. Despite losing to Mexico in their opening match, 2014 tournament winners Germany liked their odds of reaching the knockout stage at the 2018 edition in Russia. All the Germans had to do was beat South Korea by two goals to guarantee a spot in the business end of the competition. As expected, Die Mannschaft dominated the Taeguk Warriors through nearly 90 minutes, but the match was still scoreless. Germany was desperate and pushed as many players as possible forward. Then South Korea pounced on the opportunity as Kim Young-gwon first scored. It was then Son who sealed the whole group's fate with a second goal as time wound down. That meant Germany was out. Mexico, despite getting pummeled by group winners Sweden, were also advancing. A sigh of relief for El Tri fans, who gratefully serenaded Korean players and fans in Russia – and even held celebrations outside of South Korea's diplomatic offices across Mexico. No. 80: Did He Really Mean To Score That Goal? The old saying is that you can make your own luck. And this memorable goal by Maicon, which defied odds and angles, is an example of that. In the summer of 2010, the Brazilian right-back was at his absolute peak. A Treble-winning elite defender for Inter Milan and a stalwart for his country at the summer's World Cup. And it was against North Korea that Maicon produced his signature moment continues to be debated. As Maicon barreled down the flank and into the 18-yard box and caught up to a pinpoint pass by Elano, he powered a shot that whizzed behind keeper Ri Myong-guk and into the net on the tightest of angles. It seemed that Maicon was trying to actually cross to Luis Fabiano, but instead did the job himself. A celebration followed that seemed more relief than joy, and one of the best "Did he mean to do that?" moments in soccer lore was born. No. 79: USA's Pulisic Delivers a Winner The United States men's national team faced immense pressure to make it out of a tough Group B at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for Russia 2018. The problem? It only managed two points after its matchups with Wales and England. With the U.S. in desperate need of three points in its final group stage match against Iran, Christian Pulisic put his body on the line to get his team on the board, diving in front of a cross to beat the two defenders marking him and colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the process. This goal sent the U.S. through — and gave Christian Pulisic his World Cup moment. In the 2022 World Cup Group Stage, the United States needed a win to advance. In the 38th minute, Weston McKennie sent in a cross Pulisic was forced off as a result of the collision, but his goal ended up being the difference for the U.S. as it advanced to the round of 16 with a 1-0 win and three much-needed points. No. 78: Richarlison's Wonder Goal Brazil entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup as one of the favorites to go the distance, and that hype only got louder after Richarlison's master class in the Seleção's group stage opener against Serbia. After failing to score in the first half, Richarlison scored a second-half brace, and his second goal will go down as one of the most skillful goals in World Cup history. Richarlison volleyed a cross from Vinicius Junior in the air to himself and scored with an acrobatic scissor kick. Brazil would ultimately bow out of the tournament in the quarterfinals, but it made its mark on the tournament thanks to Richarlison. No. 77: Don't Count Out Dempsey and the USA At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the soccer gods did the United States no favors. A group stage that included tournament heavyweights Germany, a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal squad, and Ghana (the team that had ousted the USA in two straight World Cups). Pundits had written off the USA even before the team reached the tournament, thinking there would be no way coach Jurgen Klinnsman's squad would survive a tough group. Against Ghana, Clint Dempsey scored the fastest World Cup goal in USA history. Ghana equalized before John Brooks rose to the occasion and netted a header for the dramatic game-winner. Against Portugal, Jermaine Jones smashed a stunner that was mooted after Ronaldo's last-second equalizer. A loss to Germany still saw the USA advance into the knockout stage thanks to a goal differential over Portugal. With tough-as-nails playmakers such as Dempsey, Jones and keeper Tim Howard, this USA squad proved a lot of folk wrong. No. 76: Sunday Oliseh's screamer vs. Spain There's something to be said for sheer power. Pretty passing sequences and deftly placed shots are nice and all, but sometimes you don't want to watch the lock get picked — you want to see a ball hit with enough force to blow the entire house down. That's what Sunday Oliseh gave us in Nigeria's first match of the 1998 World Cup. The defensive midfielder wasn't known for scoring — he managed only one other goal in 53 international appearances — but he knew what to do when a Spain clearance fell to him 30 yards from goal with about 12 minutes remaining in the game. Fernando Hierro and Raul scored for Spain on either side of halftime, but Nigeria equalized twice. With time running short, Hierro cleared a Super Eagles throw-in deep in his own end. Oliseh caught it on the half-volley and thundered a low strike just inside the post past stunned La Roja backstop Andoni Zubizarreta. The kick couldn't have been more ferocious. Not only was it enough to give Nigeria the win, but it also helped propel them to the top of Group D. Spain, meanwhile, failed to survive the group stage. Talk about a powerful shot. No. 75: Van Bronckhorst's Blast Giovanni van Bronckhorst wasn’t known as a scorer throughout his long and decorated international career for the Netherlands, for good reason. In 106 appearances with the Oranje, the outside back managed just six goals. And at age 35 in 2010, many wondered if the veteran would even crack Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk’s final 23-man roster for the tournament in South Africa. Van Bronckhorst didn’t just make it, he was named captain. And in the semifinal against Uruguay, he opened the scoring with an audacious, 40-yard, left-footed strike that grazed diving La Celeste keeper Fernando Muslera’s fingertips and kissed the inside of the far post before settling into the net. The only World Cup goal Van Bronckhorst ever scored helped send his country to the title match for the third time, and it remains among the most spectacular in tournament history. No. 74: Five Goals in One Game! Salenko Makes History You’ve heard of a hat trick. But what about a Salenko?When you score five goals in a single game, you’re worthy of having the feat named after you. At the 1994 World Cup, Russian striker Oleg Salenko found the net five times in a 6-1, group stage victory over Cameroon.The win wasn’t enough to help the Russians reach the knockout stage, but Salenko’s record-setting day did go a long way toward him becoming the only player in World Cup history to win the Golden Boot as top scorer despite only participating in the first round.Salenko also scored from the penalty spot against Sweden to finish USA ‘94 with six goals, the same number as Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov, with whom he shared the award. Not bad for a guy who played in four fewer matches. No. 73: Rivaldo’s Oscar-Worthy Diving Performance We all know soccer stars have a penchant for the dramatic. But Brazilian legend Rivaldo may take the Oscar for an all-time acting performance for his inexplicable dive at the 2002 World Cup.During a group stage match, Turkiye's Hakan Ünsal, annoyed that Rivaldo was taking his sweet time preparing to take a corner kick, booted the ball off the Brazilian’s legs. Rivaldo collapsed and began rolling on the turf holding not his thigh — but his face.Ünsal was shown a red card and the ridicule against Rivaldo began. In an era before social media, the video went viral and shown over sports and news and late-night shows alike across the globe. Rivaldo was fined (but not suspended) by FIFA but he also got the last laugh — Brazil won its fifth (and its most recent) World Cup title. No 72: Rooney’s Red and Ronaldo’s Wink A heated moment at the world’s biggest stage between two World Cup heavyweights involved a pair of Manchester United superstar teammates.Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were among the faces of global soccer at the 2006 World Cup. So, when England and Portugal were pitted in the quarterfinals, the world knew sparks would fly.In the second half, Rooney stamped on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho and the referee reached for red. Ronaldo had been pleading to the ref that his Man United teammate should be sent off, and that’s when the cameras caught it: a sly, almost celebratory wink toward the Portugal bench right after Rooney’s dismissal.Portugal would survive on penalties as Ronaldo scores the decider. England’s dream of a World Cup title ends. And that wink — love it or hate it — becomes a defining, unforgettable and controversial moments in World Cup history. No 71: Kuwait's Princely Protest On a list of most bizarre World Cup moments, this would have to be near the top. At the 1982 event in Spain, first time qualifier Kuwait had just gone 4-1 down to France with 10 minutes left in their group stage match. Inside the stadium, Kuwaiti Prince Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took exception, contending that a whistle from the crowd sounded before Les Bleus scored their fourth goal, causing Kuwait’s players to stop defending thinking Soviet referee Myroslav Stupar had halted the game. The Prince strode onto the field and threatened to pull his country’s players off of it if the ref didn’t reverse his decision — which he did! But France scored again anyway to restore the lopsided victory. The Prince was later fined by FIFA, and Stupar never worked a World Cup match again. Kuwait were eliminated in their final first round match, a 1-0 loss to England. They haven’t been back to a World Cup since. No. 70: The 'Saudi Maradona' Diego Maradona wasn’t the only player to dribble through an entire team and score at a World Cup. And if we’re being fair, the incredible solo goal Saeed Al-Owairan managed to pull off for Saudi Arabia at USA ‘94 was every bit as pretty. Al-Owairan’s run and finish didn’t come in the knockout stage, as Maradona’s slalom had eight years earlier. It didn’t come against England or any other former champion. It began deeper in his own half, though, and he beat one more would-be defenders. And while the Argentine legend picked the lock by calmly rolling the ball home after rounding keeper Peter Shilton, Al-Owairan blasted the door down with a ferocious shot past Belgian netminder Michel Preud'homme. The goal was meaningful, too. Not only did Al-Owairan’s unforgettable strike give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win, it also sealed their passage to the second round — the only time the country has survived group play. No. 69: The Goal that Saved Germany This goal gave Germany hope — at least for one more game. On the brink of elimination in the group stage at Russia 2018, defending champions Germany were awarded a free kick from just outside the box in the 95th minute. Kroos lined the ball up from a difficult angle and curled the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Germany lives to see another day. Unfortunately for Germany, it only delayed the inevitable. Days later, Germany lost to South Korea and crashed out of the group. A masterpiece in a World Cup that ultimately slipped away. No. 68: Soccer in the USA, Changed Forever In 1994, the United States hosted the World Cup, marking just the second time ever a North American country had hosted the tournament. Across stadiums known for Super Bowls and college football games, more than 3.5 million people attended the tournament with an average of nearly 69,000 spectators per match. It's still the most attended World Cup of all-time. The USA would lose in the Round of 16 to eventual champion Brazil, but the landscape of American soccer was forever changed. A new men’s professional league, Major League Soccer, would be founded two years after the tournament. Stateside soccer fans began to wake up early on the weekends and follow the heroics of European teams and leagues. Soccer truly became part of the sports mindset in this country. Now it’s 2026 and the World Cup is returning to the U.S., co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. In many ways, it’s a bookend for the growth of the sport here in the country. But in others, it’s the beginning of a new chapter, with this generation now getting to see up close and personal the greatest sporting event in their own backyard. No. 67: Argentina Sends Mexico Home TWICE! Losing to the same opponent in the same stage in consecutive World Cups can definitely leave fans salty. Which is why a lot of Mexico fans don’t have much love for Argentina. In 2006, Mexican fans could be forgiven for thinking that maybe this was the year their team would advance to the quarterfinals for the first time away from home soil. Argentina and Maxi Rodriguez had other ideas. With the game tied 1-1 and halfway through the first additional 15-minute period, Rodriguez volleyed a curling shot past the outstretched glove of goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and into the side netting. The supernaturally beautiful strike was enough to send Argentina into the last eight. To nobody’s surprise, it was also named the goal of the tournament. Four years later and with the legendary Diego Maradona in charge, Carlos Tevez became the hero (or the culprit) in Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Mexico with a long-range golazo in a 3-1 win in which he scored twice. Same opponent. Same round. Two unforgettable goals. Mexico’s quest of reaching a quarterfinal at a non-hosted World Cup continues to this day. Will that change this summer? No. 66: David Villa Fuels Spain's First World Cup There was a time when Spain memorized the soccer world its midfield mastery, playmaking prowess and incredible chemistry. It led to a golden era for La Roja in which the team won three major titles – the 2008 Euro, the 2010 World Cup, and the 2012 Euro – in a span of four years. The 2010 squad in South Africa was incredibly special and one man provided the scoring prowess that its trademark possession-based system (often labeled as tiki-taka) to make it all click. David Villa scored five of Spain's eight goals at the tournament, and added one assist. He finished as the joint top goalscorer of the tournament along with Thomas Muller, but the German star won the Golden Shoe due to having more assists. No matter. David Villa lifted the hardware that mattered. Villa remains Spain's top goalscorer. No. 65: Diego Forlán’s Mastery of the Infamous ‘Jabulani’ Ball The beauty of each World Cup is how each edition weaves in the traditions and characteristics of the host nations. That’s especially true when the official ball is unveiled. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the Jabulani ball was noted for some of its aerodynamic quirks when in flight. Decorated with African-inspired designs with the name from a Zulu phrase of "be happy," it symbolized South Africa’s culture and remains among the most iconic World Cup balls. It was also hard for some of the players to control it. It floated and dipped and knuckled in all sorts of ways. But one player is arguably synonymous with the ball — Diego Forlán. The Uruguayan striker helped his team reach the World Cup semifinals, the deepest run they since winning its second title in 1950. And while Uruguay failed to reach the final, it was the third-place match against Germany that Forlán scored the goal of the tournament. Five goals overall. Golden Ball winner. In a World Cup featuring a unique ball, Diego Forlán mastered the one thing no one else could. No. 64: The Best Team Ever … To NOT Win a World Cup? The Brazil national football team of 1982 were absolute artists. Led by the elegance of Zico, the intelligence of Sócrates, and the rhythm of Falcão, this team moved like music — fluid, fearless, and beautiful. Every pass had purpose, every attack felt inevitable. Nonetheless, the ultimate objective of winning a World Cup (and one without the legendary Pelé) ultimately fell short during that summer in Spain. But this team will be remembered for being as talented – if not more – than teams that have won the whole thing. Brazil steamrolled its group stage competition against the USSR, Scotland and New Zealand by an aggregate total of 10 goals to 2. In the second phase of the tournament, the Brazilians dominated its fierce rivals Argentina (led by Maradona) before losing an epic 3-2 thriller to eventual champions Italy. No. 63: The Best Team Ever … To NOT Win a World Cup? The pressure was on the host nation in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. South Africa had both the privilege and responsibility of hosting the tournament's first game on African soil, but fans across the continent feared the worst. There were questions about whether the team affectionally known as Bafana Bafana — which got an automatic berth as the home team — could compete with the best in the sport. South Africa had won just one of its six outings over its two previous World Cup appearances, in 1998 and 2002, and the country had failed to qualify for the 2006 event. In other words, the pressure was on. So when Siphiwe Tshabalala hit a long-range missile past Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez and into the very top corner of the net in front of a packed stadium in Johannesburg, the entire continent erupted. It turned out to be the high point for the hosts, who conceded a late equalizer to El Tri and eventually became just one of two home sides not to qualify for the knockout stage (Qatar also failed in 2022). But Tshabalala's effort will forever live on. No. 62: Beckham Bends It to Save England David Beckham's time at the 1998 FIFA World Cup will forever be overshadowed by the red card he received in England's Round of 16 matchup with Argentina — so much so that many forget that he was actually the Three Lions' saving grace in the group stage of the tournament. In 1998, Beckham was on the cusp of soccer superstardom and just becoming a global icon we now know him for. With England facing elimination in its final group stage match against Colombia, England coach Glenn Hoddle gave into the pressure to play Beckham after sitting his young star in the first two group stage matches. Beckham proved himself to his skeptic coach by scoring his first international goal for England and doubling England's lead over Colombia. England went on to win the match 2-0 and advanced as the runner-up in Group G behind Romania. And that ubiquitous term "Bend it like Beckham" began to filtrate across the world. No. 61: Biggest Robbery Ever? USA Not Awarded A Handball The United States men’s national team could have made the 2002 FIFA World Cup final. In fact, they should have at least made the semifinals. And yet, they didn’t. Why? An obvious handball that wasn’t called in the quarterfinal against Germany. Arguably the most controversial moment involving the USA at any World Cup tournament. In 2002, the USA was primed for a run at the tourney co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Led by a young core that included emerging talented duo Landon Donovan and Brian McBride, the USA defeated Portugal 3-2 and finished runner-up to group winners South Korea. In the Round of 16, they recorded a 2-0 victory over rivals Mexico behind goals from McBride and Donovan. Next, it was on to the quarterfinal against powerhouse Germany. Michael Ballack got the Germans out to an early 1-0 lead in the 39th minute. The Americans responded with several attacking plays to start the second half. - What if … the USA had been awarded THAT handball? But in the 50th minute, everything changed. Off a corner kick by Donovan, the ball landed to a wide-open Gregg Berhalter, who took a shot at goal from just a few yards out. German keeper Oliver Kahn was able to barely save the shot, but the ball would bounce off midfielder Torsten Fring' arm. Immediately, USA players began clamoring for a handball, and when the replay was shown — it was clear as day. However, referee Hugh Dallas didn't call it. And with VAR not yet in existence, the call was irreversible. Had it been called, the USA would have been awarded a penalty kick, and Frings would have been sent off, and the Stars and Stripes would have kept the momentum against a 10-man German side. Germany survived and eventually made it to the final, where they would fall to Brazil. As for the Americans? It remains the biggest "what if" moment in its soccer history. No. 60: Senegal Roars Into the Limelight In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Senegal came with little to no expectations. But, after a shocking win against defending champions France, The Lions of Teranga wrote a Cinderella story like no other. France, also the reigning European titleholders at the time, probably had a more talented team than the one they fielded during their triumphant run to the trophy four years prior. They were significantly more experienced. Senegal, by contrast, were participating in their first World Cup. The former French colony took a 30th minute lead on a goal by the wonderfully-named Papa Bouba Diop, who shot the ball while in a seated position. Senegal rode the momentum generated by their tournament-opening victory all the way to the quarterfinals. As for Les Bleus? Not only did France also fail to win either of their next two games, they exited the competition after the group stage without having managed a single goal. No. 59: David Luiz Caps Off Goal With Karate-Kick Celebration When Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup, the whole event felt like one never-ending party. And the host team, fully aware of the pressures and expectations on their shoulders, needed to put on a show.The quarterfinals saw Brazil take on South American rivals Colombia, a squad that became one of the darlings of the tournament behind star midfielder James Rodriguez. But the Brazilians weren’t going to back down. And one of its most vocal leaders, defender David Luiz, ensured they’d keep the run going with a stunning second-half free-kick goal from 40 yards out that effectively sealed the game.Equally memorable as his knuckle-balling goal that befuddled Colombia keeper David Ospina was Luiz’s celebration, not to mention his signature locks of bouncing curly hair. As the goal sailed into the net, Luiz feverishly ran and karate-kicked the corner flag as his teammates joyously mobbed him.A moment that felt like Brazil’s last hurrah of the tournament. Captain Thiago Silva would be forced to miss the semifinal match against Germany for yellow card accumulation. Superstar Neymar suffered a devastating back injury that also kept him out of the semifinal. How did that turn out? We’ll get to that soon enough. No. 58: An Unlikely Hero in France's 2018 Run During the 2018 Round of 16, France was trailing Argentina by a goal and were in danger of being eliminated. After letting an early lead slip away, Les Bleus needed to keep up with La Albiceleste’s firepower and an unassuming hero stepped up. Just before the hour mark, French defender Lucas Hernandez sent over a cross that took a pair of bounces before landing in front of teammate Benjamin Pavard, who had never scored an international goal up to this point in his career. Pavard would hit a half-volley with his right foot, which created a top-spin effect that sent the ball swerving into the top-left corner, far beyond reach of Argentinian goalkeeper Franco Armani. The goal would flip the momentum back on France’s side as a then 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a four-minute span to give his country the lead and eventually a 4-3 victory. Pavard’s goal would later be voted as the goal of the tournament as France went on to defeat Uruguay, Belgium, and Croatia to lift the nation’s second World Cup Trophy. No. 57: 16 Yellow Cards and 4 Reds? The ‘Battle of Nuremberg’ No match in World Cup history has seen more cards given out. Portugal and Netherlands turned this 2006 Round of 16 clash into a record-breaking foul fest. By the time the final whistle blew, referees had shown 16 yellow cards and 4 reds, both World Cup records that still stand today. A 21-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo left early due to injury in tears. Luis Figo connected with a headbutt. Players argued, pushed, and collided for 90 minutes. In the midst of all the chaos, Maniche scored the lone goal in the 23rd. Portugal won 1-0 and advanced. But the scoreline was almost an afterthought. The "Battle of Nuremberg" remains the most ill-tempered match the World Cup has ever seen. No. 56: Italy Upset By North Korea at 1966 World Cup The most unlikely World Cup upset is not Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina in Qatar in 2022. That honor actually belongs to North Korea, who stunned Italy during the 1966 World Cup in England, the only country other than Brazil with multiple world titles to that point. The newcomers' prospects looked grim after a 3-0 loss to the Soviet Union and a 1-1 draw with Chile, leaving them as massive underdogs for their final group match in Middlesbrough. However, the unthinkable happened when Pak Doo-ik scored just before halftime. North Korea's defense held firm, securing a 1-0 victory that eliminated the Italians and made North Korea the first Asian team to reach the knockout stage. They nearly repeated the miracle in the quarterfinals, racing to a 3-0 lead against Portugal before eventually collapsing in a 5-3 loss. North Korea didn’t qualify again for 44 years and is still chasing its second tournament win. No. 55: Saudi Arabia's Upset Over Argentina Stunned the World We all remember how the 2022 World Cup ended, with Lionel Messi lifting the trophy for Argentina after the insane win over France in the final at Qatar's Lusail Stadium. But do you recall how Argentina's World Cup campaign started at that very same stadium only weeks before? What was supposed to be a routine group-stage opener against a less heralded Saudi Arabian side turned into one of the most memorable upsets ever at the World Cup. Messi even had his team up by a goal early thanks to a penalty, but two second-half goals saw the Saudis rally and get the win. Salem Al Dawsari's eventual game-winner was one of the tournament's most memorable goals, and included his iconic celebration flip. The result was a wakeup call for one of the tournament favorites. One that they would bounce back and eventually make their way to the final. As for the Saudis? They became overnight legends with the country even declaring a holiday for their Green Falcon heroes. No. 54: Ronaldinho's Fantastic Free Kick Whether it was a calculated masterpiece or a fortunate fluke, Ronaldinho’s epic 50-yard free kick against England in the 2002 quarterfinals remains one of the World Cup’s best goals in the tournament’s history. After Michael Owen and Rivaldo traded first-half goals, Brazil earned a set piece deep in midfield five minutes after the break. Expecting a routine cross, England goalkeeper David Seaman drifted off his line. Instead, Ronaldinho lofted a daring strike that sailed over the backpedaling keeper and tucked neatly under the crossbar. The goal secured a 2–1 lead that Brazil never relinquished, sending one step closer toward their record fifth world title. Regardless of whether it was intended to be a shot or cross, the audacity of the strike solidified Ronaldinho’s legend in football history. No. 53: Never Doubt Cristiano Ronaldo On the second day of the 2018 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a performance for the ages, netting a legendary hat trick to rescue a 3–3 draw against rivals Spain. This clash of titans became an instant classic, fueled entirely by Ronaldo’s individual brilliance. He opened the scoring early with a composed penalty and restored Portugal’s lead before halftime with a powerful strike that slipped through David de Gea’s grasp. After Spain surged ahead 3–2, the stage was set for a final act of heroics. In the dying minutes, Portugal earned a free kick at the edge of the box. With the world watching, Ronaldo curled a sublime, dipping shot around the wall and into the top corner. De Gea didn't even move. This stunning equalizer completed his hat trick, making him the oldest player to score three goals in a World Cup match and cementing this masterclass as an all-time tournament highlight.____ Continue to check back every day for more top moments as we count down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting on June 11.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Lionel Messi Tracker: Scores Twice In Win Against Colorado Rapids]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mls/lionel-messi-goals-world-cup-argentina-assists-mls-inter-miami-stats</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mls/lionel-messi-goals-world-cup-argentina-assists-mls-inter-miami-stats</guid>
				<category>mls</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[We're tracking Lionel Messi's goals and top moments for Inter Miami and the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Here's the latest.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:05:58 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Lionel Messi has some high expectations for Inter Miami for 2026. He'll aim to lead the Herons to consecutive MLS Cup titles during a season in which they'll be playing at their new Miami Freedom Park stadium. The bigger story for La Pulga may be if Messi can also captain Argentina to back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles this summer, when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America. All season, we'll be tracking Messi's game-by-game performances, as the GOAT looks to have another epic season. Here's the latest: April 18: Lionel Messi scores twice in win against Colorado Rapids Messi had two goals in Inter Miami's 3-2 win over the Rapids on Saturday to extend the team's unbeaten streak to seven games. Messi, who opened the scoring when he converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute, scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute. After a Colorado turnover near midfield, Messi cut back near the right corner of the penalty box and flicked a rising shot that split a pair of defenders and slipped inside the back post. Messi has seven goals this season, tied with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most in MLS. Miami (4-1-3) hasn’t lost since a season-opening 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC. April 11: Messi held scoreless in win against New York Red Bulls In the second match played at Inter Miami's new stadium, Nu Stadium, the defending MLS Cup champions settled for their second draw in a row, this time against the Red Bulls, on Saturday night. In the 55th minute, Messi drew four defenders toward him and helped set up Germán Berterame for a second-half goal that gave Inter Miami its first lead. Messi had a couple golden chances, too. He had a stellar run but then slipped on his attempt as his shot was deflected out of bounds. In the 94th minute, Messi almost found the back of the net, but his free kick was ultimately deflected by New York goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. April 5: ‘Nu’ Era underway as Messi nets goal in Inter Miami's new stadium Messi scored on the long-awaited opening night in his new home stadium, and Luis Suárez found a way to tie things up late in the second half. Messi scored on a header in the 10th minute, Suarez hammered home a volley in the 82nd minute and Inter Miami escaped with a 2-2 tie against Austin FC in the defending MLS champions' first match at their still-under-construction stadium near Miami International Airport on Saturday night. Named "Nu Stadium", the venue already has a stand named for Messi — a rare honor for an active player to already have a section of the stadium dedicated to him. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was at the match, lauding the work that David Beckham, who picked Miami 13 years ago, did to get to this day. Inter Miami, which is in its seventh MLS season and third with Messi, has played home matches in Fort Lauderdale until now. Beckham had another legend in attendance with him as Brazil great Ronaldo joined the festivities. Garber touted the stadium opening as the latest sign of growth for MLS. "I think our best days are still ahead," he said. "David shined a light on our league, and Leo’s taking that torch, and he’s showing it around. And we’re getting calls from players around the world." March 31: Messi scores in perhaps last Argentina home match? It didn't take long for Messi to get on the scoresheet in Argentina's 5-0 victory over Zambia at the historic Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Messi assisted Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez with an early strike in the fourth minute in what could be the GOAT's final home match for his home country. He wasn't done yet, as Messi would double La Albiceleste's lead himself before the break. Messi had an opportunity to complete a hat-trick when Argentina was awarded a penalty early in the second half. Instead of stepping up and taking the penalty himself, he handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing him a scoring opportunity in his final home game. Otamendi announced that he will retire the national team following the summer's World Cup. March 27: Messi comes on in second half, held scoreless vs. Mauritania Messi was back in action with Argentina for the FIFA international break. It was the final time the team would play together before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins later in the summer. Of course, reigning champions Messi and Argentina are expected to be among the heavy favorites to win it all. Before that happens, a couple of friendlies in Buenos Aires against two teams from Africa. Messi started on the bench during Argentina's 2-1 victory over Mauritania and didn't manage to score in the final 45 minutes. Argentina's goals came from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Paz, but Messi was the one receiving endless cheers from fans in one of the nation's most historic venues, La Bombonera. March 22: Messi scores key goal in win against NYCFC Inter Miami took home the win against NYCFC on Sunday, with Messi scoring the equalizer. At the 61-minute mark, Messi received a free kick, after what most fans believed was a "soft call." He successfully converted in this opportunity, tying the game and putting the Herons back in contention for a win that night. The first goal of the night came from Gonzalo Lujan, with this also being his first career goal. The game was then iced in the 74th minute by Micael after a set-up by Messi's corner kick. March 18: 900 career goals, but eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup What a milestone for the superstar, who has now reached the 900-goal mark in his illustrious club career that has spanned Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, as well as his international duty with Argentina. Messi scored the goal in Wednesday's Champions Cup match against Nashville SC, taking a pass in the middle of the box in the seventh minute, controlled the ball, spun and lined a low shot through a maze of defenders and into the far corner of the net. Despite the historic goal, Nashville tied Inter Miami 1-1, advancing to the tournament quarterfinals on an away-goal tiebreaker. The teams played to a 0-0 tie in Nashville last week in the opening leg of the Round of 16. Messi is second on the all-time goal scoring list behind Cristiano Ronaldo (965), with those two the only ones who are in that stratosphere. Officially, the duo are followed by Romário (765), Pelé (762) and Ference Puskás (725). The next-highest active player is Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (690). There's some controversy about Pelé's count. Different sources, counting different sets of games, list the Brazilian icon's goal totals anywhere from around 650 in league matches to somewhere near 1,300 in all matches — some against low-level competition. March 14: Messi sits out Inter Miami draw vs. Nashville SC Messi was rested for this game, as coach Javier Mascherano chose to save his energy for the second CONCACAF Champions Cup leg against Nashville SC. In his place, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez received his first start of the MLS season. Though Saturday ended in a scoreless draw, the game itself stayed spirited. In a heated exchange, Mascherano received a red card in stoppage time. As he protested the booking, he was sent off for foul and offensive language. Ever a lively personality, he sarcastically clapped at the crowd. March 11: Messi stuck at 899 goals after another draw Inter Miami and Messi faced off against Nashville SC in the Herons' first game of the CONCACAF Champions Cup of the season. The Round of 16 ended in a scoreless draw, with Messi staying silent on the statsheet.  He attempted one shot in the 55th minute, but 24-year-old Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake came up with the save. March 7: Messi scores in win over D.C. United after White House visit Messi scored in the 27th minute, and Inter Miami held on for a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night in front of 72,026 at the home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. The game was held in downtown Baltimore instead of at D.C. United's smaller venue in Washington. It's the second game this season where Inter Miami's opponents held the match at a larger stadium. LAFC did so in February by changing the game to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. It was an eventful week for Messi and his team, which visited the White House on Thursday. Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 17th minute when De Paul collected the ball about 15 yards from the goal and struck a shot into the far side of the net. Messi then scored his third goal of the young MLS season, slipping behind the D.C. defense to receive Mateo Silvetti's pass, then flicking the ball with one touch past goalie Sean Johnson. March 1: Messi scores twice in comeback win over rival Orlando City Nothing like scoring twice against your in-state rivals. Especially after being initially down by two. Messi had two second-half goals and an assist in Inter Miami's 4-2 win over Orlando City. It was his first two goals of the 2026 MLS season and the Herons' first win. It was part of a four-goal rally by Inter Miami in the second half, which also included goals by Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia (who also had two assists). Marco Pasalic and Martín Ojedahad initially gave the Lions the lead before Messi and Miami came out with a full head of steam after halftime. Messi's second was a particular beauty as it came off a free kick in the final moments of the game in Orlando. Messi, ever the master at gamesmanship, decided to troll the Orlando faithful by mockingly giving them an autograph. Feb. 26: Messi knocked over by pitch invader in Puerto Rico A curiously timed match between Inter Miami and Ecuadorian club Independiente Del Valle at Puerto Rico's Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel saw Messi convert a penalty and later tackled by an overzealous pitch invader. The game in Bayamón was supposed to be played in Inter Miami's preseason on Feb. 13 but was moved back due to Messi's hamstring injury. Inter Miami honored the rescheduled match after having already played its MLS season opener. Messi entered at halftime and was cheered loudly anytime he touched the ball. His penalty came in the 70th minute, which sealed the 2-1 victory in the unofficial match. As the game came to a wrap, a pitch invader got tangled up with Messi and a security guard, taking the superstar to the ground. He appeared to be fine as he got up and walked away. Feb. 21: Messi held scoreless in MLS opener Inter Miami began its season with a 3-0 loss at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Son Heung-min and LAFC in front of an announced crowd of 75,672 — the second-highest game attendance in MLS history and highest for a season-opening game ever. After the game, a video posted on social media showed Messi following the referees through the tunnel and into a locker room. A visibly angry Messi appeared to be held back by teammate Luis Suárez with the two then exiting the area. The league said that Messi did not violate any policy and that he would not face any suspension. The Associated Press contributed to this report.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 FIFA World Cup Ultimate Fanbase! Argentina vs. England, France vs. Spain]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-fifa-world-cup-ultimate-fanbase</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-fifa-world-cup-ultimate-fanbase</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Which World Cup fanbase will be the loudest? The most fun? The most passionate? Vote in our 2026 FIFA World Cup Ultimate Fanbase.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:25:44 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The world's best sporting event – the 2026 FIFA World Cup — is coming this summer, and it's going to be bigger and better than ever. But which fans of the 48 teams will be the loudest? The most fun and the most passionate? Vote in our 2026 FIFA World Cup Ultimate Fanbase, sponsored by Lay's! How To Vote? Easy! All voting takes place across the @FOXSoccer social accounts. So if you don't already follow FOX Soccer, do so now! You'll be able to vote on: - Instagram- Facebook- YouTube - X Or check out the polls below.  Vote on your platform of choice and it will count! The teams were seeded by each of their combined social media followings – including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. We're now into the Sweet Sixteen of our bracket. Here's how things stand: Voting will take place over the entire month of April with a winner announced on the last day of the month! The winners will get an official billboard touting your nation as the best fans in front of your team's 2026 FIFA World Cup training facility! Quarterfinals: How It Works? We have one set of the semifinal bracket with Brazil taking on Germany for a spot in our grand final. But that leaves the other side still up for grabs. Which two of these four teams will advance onto the semifinals? Today's matchups are: Previous Quarterfinals Results - Brazil fans defeated Mexico fans while Germany fans took care of the Netherlands fans. The two winners will face off in the semifinals. Congrats! Round-of-16 Results - Brazil fans defeated South Korea fans, while Mexico fans defeated Morocco fans. The two winners will face off in the quarterfinals. Congrats! - Germany fans defeated Ecuador fans, while Netherlands fans defeated Türkiye fans. The two winners will face off in the quarterfinals. Congrats! - France fans defeated Belgium fans, while Spain fans defeated Uruguay fans. The two winners will face off in the quarterfinals. Congrats! - England fans defeated Colombia fans, while Argentina defeated Portugal fans. The two winners will now advance to the quarterfinals. Congrats! Second-Round Results In Region 4 (which includes J/K/L): - England fans def. Croatia fans;- Colombia fans def. Algeria fans;- Argentina fans def. Ghana fans;- Portugal fans def. Austria fans. These four fanbases move into the quarterfinals. Congrats! In Region 3 (which includes G/H/I): - France fans def. Norway fans;- Belgium fans def. Egypt fans;- Uruguay fans def. Ghana fans;- Spain fans def. Saudi Arabia fans. Those four fanbases move into the quarterfinals. Congrats! In Region 2 (which includes D/E/F): - Netherlands fans def. USA fans;- Germany fans def. Japan fans;- Türkiye fans def. Australia fans;- Ecuador fans def. Paraguay fans. Those four fanbases move into the quarterfinals. Congrats! In Region 1 (which includes Groups A/B/C): - Mexico fans def. South Africa fans;- Brazil fans def. Switzerland fans;- Morocco fans def. Czechia fans;- South Korea fans def. Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina fans. Those four fanbases move into the quarterfinals. Congrats! Previous First-Round Results In Region 1 (which includes Groups A/B/C): - Switzerland fans def. Canada fans;- Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina fans def. Scotland fans;- Czechia fans def. Qatar fans;- South Africa fans def. Haiti fans. Those four fanbases move onto the second round. Congrats! In Region 2 (which includes Groups D/E/F): - Japan fans def. Sweden fans;- Paraguay fans def. Tunisia fans;- Netherlands fans def. Ivory Coast fans;- Australia fans def. Curaçao fans. Those four fanbases move onto the second round. Congrats! In Region 3 (which includes Groups G/H/I): - Belgium fans def. Cape Verde fans;- Uruguay fans def. New Zealand fans;- Saudi Arabia fans def. Iraq fans;- Norway fans def. Iran fans. Those four fanbases move onto the second round. Congrats! In Region 4 (which includes Groups J/K/L): - Croatia fans def. Congo DR fans;- Algeria fans def. Uzbekistan fans; - Ghana fans def. Panama fans;- Jordan fans def. Austria fans. Those four fanbases move onto the second round. Congrats! 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in primetime across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).]]>
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					<![CDATA[Tyler Adams' Return To Action Highlights Busy Week For USA's World Cup Hopefuls]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-stock-watch-tyler-adams-johnny-cardoso-christian-pulisic</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-stock-watch-tyler-adams-johnny-cardoso-christian-pulisic</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Which of the USA's World Cup hopefuls are trending up and down ahead of yet another busy slate of club matches?]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:40:44 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The games are coming thick and fast across the European leagues and the ones closer to home as we hurtle toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One date to circle on the calendar is May 26, which is the day U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino reveals at a gala event in New York the 26 players who will represent the co-hosts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And when that roster is set, the curtain will be raised for the long awaited tournament. Heading into another busy weekend of club games for the 40 or so Americans hoping to snare a spot on the World Cup roster, here’s who’s trending up and down. Stock Up 📈 Adams returned from the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the USA’s March losses to Belgium and Portugal, making his first Premier League appearance in more than a month. And it was a memorable 20 minutes for the 27-year-old destroyer, who came off the bench to help the Cherries close out one of the biggest wins in their 127-year history: a 2-1 upset of Premier League leaders Arsenal in London. Adams could be back in manager Andoni Iraola's starting lineup when Bournemouth travel to Newcastle on Saturday. Balo can’t stop scoring. The 24-year-old striker found the net for the seventh time in as many games, making him the first Ligue 1 player to pull off that feat since Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, did it for PSG in 2022. Balogun will go for eight in a row on Sunday, when Monaco hosts Auxerre. The 24-year-old is having an even better season than he did in 2025, when his play for the ‘Caps — particularly in the Concacaf Champions Cup — earned the son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter his first shot with the national team. The younger Berhalter continues to run with the opportunity: he has three goals and three assists in Vancouver’s first seven MLS regular season games. After missing the first leg of Atléti’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against La Liga rivals Barcelona, Johnny was healthy for the second, playing the final minute of the contest, plus stoppage time, as Los Rojiblancos advanced to the final four of Europe’s top club competition 3-2 on aggregate. He now has the chance to become just the fourth American ever to appear in the Champions League semis, joining Adams (RB Leipzig, 2020), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, 2021), and DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, 2004). Cardoso will play for a trophy first, when he takes on Real Sociedad and its American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in Saturday’s Copa del Rey decider. Although the Pigeons lost 2-0 to Berhalter &amp; Co. north of the border last weekend, Freese was spectacular. The rangy backstop was credited with eight saves, preventing what could’ve been an uglier scoreline in his 100th appearance for NYCFC. It was good enough to earn Harvard-educated "Matty Ice," 27, a spot on the MLS team of the week. Freese’s form is more important than most; for the U.S. to have a successful World Cup this summer, they’ll need Mauricio Pochettino’s presumed No. 1 to be sharp. The El Paso, Texas native scored his 14th goal of the season last weekend, the eventual game-winner for PSV as the already-crowned Dutch champs beat Sparta in Rotterdam. In just under 2,000 combined Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League minutes in 2025-26, Pepi has hit the target about once every 86 on average. With a 4-2 aggregate win over Italian Serie A side Fiorentina on Thursday, Richards — who logged all 180 minutes over the home-and-home series — helped Palace advance to the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League. The current FA Cup holders will face Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk in the opener on April 30. In the Premier League, the Alabama-born center-back will look to go the distance for the 11th straight match when Palace hosts West Ham on Monday in a London derby. When Pochettino left him off the Stars and Stripes’ March roster, many assumed the diminutive left-footed Zendejas’s World Cup dreams were over. But Zendejas remains among the most consistent attackers in the national team player pool, starting every game and running the show — sometimes as captain — for Mexico’s richest and most important club. Last October, Zendejas also scored the goal that beat Japan to kick off a five-game unbeaten run to end 2025. Don’t count Zendejas out yet. Stock Down 📉 The USA’s undisputed headliner’s lack of production remains the biggest worry for the home team’s fans ahead of the World Cup. The Rossoneri’s shocking 3-0 home loss to Udinese last Saturday marked Pulisic’s 16th game without a goal for club and country. He has just one assist this calendar year. Pulisic’s next chance to get on the scoresheet comes on Sunday, when third-place Milan heads east to take on Verona in league play. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Ream has not played well so far this MLS season. For a U.S. team that doesn’t have a deep bench in central defense, that would be concerning even if Ream wasn’t about to turn 39 years old three months after the World Cup. Rest assured, Poch and his staff will be watching their go-to captain’s every move in the weeks leading up to May 26. When Reyna came on for the final five minutes of Borussia Mochengladbach’s 2-2 tie with Heidenheim on April 4, the hope was that it would lead to more playing time for the 2022 World Cup veteran. Instead, the 23-year-old stayed stapled to manager Eugen Polanski’s bench for last week’s 1-0 defeat in Leipzig — the fourth time in five Bundesliga games he’d been an unused sub. Can Pochettino really take Reyna to the World Cup if he’s not playing at club level at all? Like Tessmann, Tillman found himself on the subs bench last week, in his case for the second consecutive match. Bayer Leverkusen won both of those games. That means Tillman — who has eight goals and one assist in 36 games all told — might have to wait to get back onto the field; he’s played just three Bundesliga minutes since March 21. As the Sky Blues cruise toward Premier League promotion, Wright has hit a minor slump. The towering Los Angeles native is scoreless in his last four outings in England’s second-tier. He still has 16 goals in 36 games this season, trailing only Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik (21) atop the Championship. Coventry visits Blackburn on Friday.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Stu Holden: USA 'Not Good Enough Yet' To Play In Same Style As Top Countries]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/stu-holden-usa-not-good-enough-yet-play-same-style-top-countries</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/stu-holden-usa-not-good-enough-yet-play-same-style-top-countries</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[FOX Soccer analyst Stu Holden joined The Herd to discuss the expectations of the USA ahead of the World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:49:50 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The United States is not one of the teams favored to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy this summer — can Mauricio Pochettino change that with his tactics? FOX Soccer analyst Stu Holden joined The Herd to discuss the expectations of the USA ahead of the tournament, especially in Pochettino's first World Cup leading the squad. "I think we’ve had an unrealistic feeling, and by we I mean, Mauricio Pochettino has been going through a process since he took over as coach, of stylistically how he likes to play and how we can play at times, which is attacking, and we have probably the most talented generation we’ve had in many, many years and some guys playing at the biggest clubs," Holden said. "So, inherently, you think ‘Ok, now we can go toe to toe, we can open up the game, we can attack, we can play sexy soccer." The United States is coming off back-to-back losses in their friendlies to Belgium and Portugal, where they were outscored 7-2. While the team has more chances with friendlies against Senegal and Germany, the United States will have to find their groove if they want to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. "What we were reminded of, and what I was reminded of, is that if we want to play against the best teams in the world, you can’t allow them that time and space. We aren’t good enough yet to play in the same style as Argentina or Spain or England or Belgium or Portugal and expect to win." With all eyes on a struggling Christian Pulisic, Pochettino is under immense pressure to maximize the attacking talent on his squad. However, the defense needs just as much work for the team to make waves in the World Cup. The Stars and Stripes will kick off their tournament run on June 12, facing Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Lionel Messi Purchases Catalonia-Based Soccer Club UE Cornellà]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/messi-purchases-lowerdivision-soccer-club-in-barcelona</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/messi-purchases-lowerdivision-soccer-club-in-barcelona</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Lionel Messi is the owner of a fifth-division soccer club in Spain after the Argentine superstar acquired Barcelona-based UE Cornellà.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:03:41 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Lionel Messi is the owner of a fifth-division soccer club in Spain after the Argentine superstar acquired Barcelona-based UE Cornellà. Messi was the best player of his generation during his two decades at FC Barcelona, where he won multiple titles and Ballon d’Or awards before leaving in 2021. Cornellà is a modest club in a working-class neighborhood. The club announced the deal on Thursday without giving details of the purchase. "Leo Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history," the club said in a statement. "The project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots." Cornellà was founded in 1951 and has helped produce players such as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who also played with Messi at Inter Miami. At age 38, Messi is aiming to compete in the World Cup this summer in North America where Argentina will defend the title. Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Netherlands Legend Clarence Seedorf Joins FOX Sports For 2026 FIFA World Cup]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/clarence-seedorf-broadcast-fifa-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/clarence-seedorf-broadcast-fifa-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Netherlands icon Clarence Seedorf joins FOX Sports as an analyst for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:50:01 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Your favorite soccer player's favorite soccer player? There's a good chance that he might be one of the greatest midfielders to ever step on the pitch, Clarence Seedorf. The iconic Netherlands playmaker — who had a storied club career at Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan — joins FOX Sports as an analyst for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Oranje legend previously served as an analyst for FOX Sports at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. "I’m excited to be back with FOX," said Seedorf. "I look forward to sharing my perspective on the game — bringing football fans closer to what happens beyond the surface, combining tactical aspects and personal insights to connect with what they will see during this amazing tournament." Seedorf won more than 20 club titles, and his storied playing career spanned more than 1,000 matches across 23 years. He is the only player in history to have won four UEFA Champions League titles with three different teams — Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998) and AC Milan (2003 and 2007). He made 87 appearances for the Netherlands national team and represented the Dutch at the UEFA European Championships in 1996. He also played at the 2000 and 2004 editions of the Euros and at the 1998 World Cup in France, reaching the semifinals in all three tournaments. After his playing career, Seedorf had a distinguished coaching career — including at AC Milan, Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain and the Cameroon national team. He has been included in the FIFA 100, the list of the greatest living footballers selected by Pelé. Seedorf is one of the six people ever named Legacy Champion by Nelson Mandela to carry his legacy worldwide. Seedorf is the latest international legend to join FOX Sports’ broadcast team for the summer. Earlier this month, Mexico's all-time leading scorer Javier Hernández announced he will join FOX Sports for the World Cup. In March, global icon Zlatan Ibrahimović announced he will also be an analyst for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. France legend and World Cup winner Thierry Henry, who made his FOX Sports debut at the FIFA World Cup draw in December, will also be part of the network's broadcast crew this summer. Award-winning presenter and celebrated broadcaster Rebecca Lowe will make her FOX Sports debut this summer as one of the network’s hosts for the FIFA World Cup. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch From June 11 through July 19, 2026, FOX Sports presents its largest World Cup production and broadcast slate to date featuring all 104 matches live across FOX (69) and FS1 (35) with every match live-streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).]]>
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					<![CDATA[USA's 'Most Important' World Cup Player? Balogun Could Shine Amid Pulisic's Struggles]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/first-things-first/usa-world-cup-dax-mccarty-folarin-balogun-pulisic</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/first-things-first/usa-world-cup-dax-mccarty-folarin-balogun-pulisic</guid>
				<category>first-things-first</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Former U.S. men's national team player Dax McCarty joined "First Things First" to discuss the USA ahead of the World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:37:15 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[As U.S. men's national team star Christian Pulisic's slump continues, the question becomes: Which USA player could step up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June? Former USA midfielder Dax McCarty joined "First Things First" on Wednesday to point out that striker Folarin Balogun is the perfect player to help lead the team this summer should Pulisic continue to struggle. "As it concerns Balogun, I absolutely think he could be our most important player heading into this World Cup," McCarty said. "He’s scoring goals, he’s in form, unlike Christian Pulisic with his club team. He’s playing with confidence. I’d argue one of the most important things you need heading into a World Cup, especially at home, is a striker that’s in good form and is just brimming with confidence." Since Feb. 17, Balogun has scored nine goals with his club, AS Monaco, including scores in seven consecutive Ligue 1 matches. Especially with an underwhelming attack recently, a consistently scoring Balogun could be exactly what the Americans need when they kick off their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles. McCarty also noted that Balogun can be effective when used correctly, emphasizing the right structure and playing style are key to maximizing his goal-scoring efforts. "He’s absolutely at the top of the depth chart for our No. 9 position," he added. "And if the structure is right behind him, we stay organized and get him chances, he is going to put the ball in the back of the net. I have no question about that." Balogun's scoring streak comes at a time when Pulisic has not scored in 107 days for either the USA or for his club, AC Milan. While Balogun has shown he has the tools to be the team's primary scorer, a resurgence from Pulisic is nothing to be worried about come the tournament. "I don't worry about Christian Pulisic and his readiness to step on the field when the lights are going to shine brightest and perform for the U.S. Men's National Team. But as far as on the field, he's definitely in a little bit of a goal drought right now," McCarty said. "As long as he stays fit, as long as he stays healthy going into the World Cup, he just needs one goal to get a little bit of confidence. I don't have any concerns about his quality heading into this tournament." 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in primetime across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).]]>
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					<![CDATA[Carlo Ancelotti Asks President Of Brazil For Advice On Neymar World Cup Call-Up]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/carlo-ancelotti-asks-president-of-brazil-for-advice-on-neymar-world-cup-call-up</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/carlo-ancelotti-asks-president-of-brazil-for-advice-on-neymar-world-cup-call-up</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has taken the extraordinary step of consulting the country's president, Lula, over whether Neymar should be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:54:04 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has taken the extraordinary step of consulting the country's president, Lula, over whether Neymar should be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Santos forward's international future has become a matter of state importance as he battles recurring fitness issues in his homeland. Ancelotti seeks presidential approval In a surprising revelation, Brazil's president Lula has confirmed that Ancelotti reached out to him to gauge the public and political appetite for Neymar's return to the Selecao. The 80-year-old head of state detailed the conversation during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel, highlighting the immense pressure surrounding the 34-year-old's potential inclusion. Lula said: "I had the chance to speak with Ancelotti, and he asked me: 'Do you think Neymar should be called up?' I said: 'Look, Ancelotti, if he’s physically fit, he’s got the football. What I need to know is whether he actually wants it.' If he does, then he has to be professional. He can look at someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, he can look at [Lionel] Messi, and still go to the national team, because he’s not old yet. But he can’t expect to go just on his name. He has to earn it on the pitch." The physical fitness ultimatum While Ancelotti is willing to listen to the president, his public stance remains rooted in performance. The Italian tactician has insisted that reputation alone will not secure a place on the plane to North America, especially following Neymar's recent struggles with a knee injury that required surgery in December. Ancelotti has made it clear that he will only call up players who are physically ready to compete at the highest level. "Neymar is capable of coming back. I have said it several times, and it is very clear: I will only call up players who are physically ready," Ancelotti said. "After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has recovered well; he is scoring goals. He needs to keep moving in that direction and improve his fitness. He is on the right path. Right now, he is being assessed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), by myself, and he still has two months to show that he has the qualities needed to play in the next World Cup." Santos reveal 'recharging' roadmap Back at club level, Santos are doing everything possible to ensure their talisman meets Ancelotti's strict criteria. Manager Cuca recently revealed that the former Barcelona man utilized the March international break to undergo specialized Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment on his knee to accelerate recovery. This medical roadmap is designed to build the necessary robustness for a gruelling run of domestic fixtures ahead of the summer tournament. Yamal dreams of watching his idol While the debate rages in Brazil, the next generation of superstars is firmly in Neymar's corner with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal among those eager to see his childhood hero at the 2026 tournament. "He's my idol and I'll always be grateful to him for everything he's given to soccer," Yamal said during a press conference. "He inspires everyone. He's the type of player that you'll pay a ticket to watch him play, the type of player you'll watch a game again three days later just to see his moves. Hopefully he will be at the World Cup." With two months left to prove his fitness, Neymar remains one of the most discussed names in world football as the countdown to the World Cup nears its end.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Matt Crocker Leaves U.S. Soccer: Is This A Big Deal? Does It Affect Pochettino?]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/matt-crocker-us-soccer-pochettino-usmnt-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/matt-crocker-us-soccer-pochettino-usmnt-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Let's answer the four biggest questions following Matt Crocker's decision to step down as U.S. Soccer's sporting director.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:46:07 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[A key figurehead is leaving U.S. Soccer with the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than two months away. An unexpected twist for one of the tournament's co-hosts with the biggest edition ever of soccer's marquee event now on the horizon. Earlier Tuesday, I reported that Matt Crocker will be exiting his role as sporting director to take over a similar role with Saudi Arabia. Why did this happen, and what's next for all parties involved? Let's answer the four biggest questions following Crocker's decision. 1. What does a sporting director even do? And, is it a big deal that Crocker is leaving now? For the first question, the short answer is to hire and fire the coach. The longer answer is more nuanced: Crocker oversaw all 27 of U.S. Soccer’s national teams, set the overall on-field direction of the federation, and played a significant role in the design of the federation’s brand new $200 million-plus training facility in Fayettesville, Ga., one of the best of its kind anywhere in the world. For the second question: Yes, it’s a big deal. The U.S. men are less than two months away from their World Cup opener, one that will be played on home soil for the first time in 32 years. He’s joining a team the Americans could face in the knockout rounds of the tournament. There’s no getting around the fact that the optics here are terrible, for both the federation and Crocker alike. 2. Crocker re-hired Gregg Berhalter for the men's side in 2023 and brought in Emma Hayes for the women's side in 2024. He then replaced Berhalter with Pochettino. How would you rate Crocker's tenure? I was surprised that he rehired Berhalter, especially since Crocker had an existing relationship with current Canada boss Jesse Marsch, who at the time was turning down jobs in the Premier League. The disastrous 2024 Copa América proved that that was the wrong choice. But landing two of the best coaches in the world in Hayes and Pochettino was a huge coup for the USSF, and it almost surely wouldn’t have happened without both knowing Crocker from their time working in England. It took Hayes just 10 games to deliver the U.S. women’s fifth Olympic gold medal and first in 12 years. Even if the U.S. men faceplant at the biggest World Cup of all time this summer, the scrutiny will fall on Pochettino and his players. Whatever you think about the timing of Crocker’s departure, the Welshman is highly competent and hugely respected by soccer folks in his native Europe, which remains the center of the game’s universe. He did a good job. With the Saudis set to host the 2034 World Cup, nobody should be shocked that they apparently drove a dump truck full of money up to Crocker’s house to lure him away. 3. Speaking of Pochettino, how would this affect anything he is doing ahead of the summer's World Cup? Or, afterward? Despite saying last month that he is open to returning as U.S. coach, I don’t think that’s in the cards no matter how Pochettino’s team fares at the World Cup. (I didn’t expect Crocker to stick around long after the tournament, either.) The good news for national team fans is that when it comes to World Cup preparations or how the co-hosts perform at the competition itself, Crocker’s sudden departure doesn’t change anything. The sporting director isn’t around players the way the coaches are. He doesn’t have much to do at this stage. The coach is in place, the pre-tournery planning is done, and Pochettino and his staff and players are locked in on the main event. "My staff and I remain fully focused on preparing our team for the World Cup," Pochettino said in a statement provided by U.S. Soccer. For better or worse, how they do this summer is on them and the players alone. 4. One of Crocker's assistants is a name that USA fans would recognize. Oguchi Onyewu is a former U.S. men's team star and a two-time World Cup veteran. Is he a viable candidate to take over? Absolutely. As I reported then, Onyewu was a candidate for the job in 2023 and is so highly thought-of inside the federation's halls that they hired him as the assistant sporting director, a role that didn’t even exist at the time. Gooch is whip-smart. He speaks four languages fluently. His playing career took him to the top leagues in Belgium, England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and MLS, which means he’s incredibly well-connected. And at 43, he’s already been an executive with clubs on either side of the Atlantic (Belgium’s Royal Excelsior Virton, Orlando City B of MLS Next Pro) and has spent the last three years working as Crocker’s right hand. Onyewu has paid his dues. He cares deeply about American soccer and the sport in the country at large. U.S. Soccer could do a lot worse.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Alexi Lalas Criticizes Matt Crocker's U.S. Soccer Exit: 'Unnecessary Own Goal']]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/ussoccer-matt-crocker-exit-alexi-lalas-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/ussoccer-matt-crocker-exit-alexi-lalas-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Alexi Lalas weighs in on Matt Crocker's leaving U.S. Soccer for Saudi Arabia months before the World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:32:28 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Was an unexpected departure of a key figurehead at U.S. Soccer affect the men's national team as we count down to the World Cup? According to FOX Sports' Alexi Lalas, the exit of Matt Crocker as U.S. Soccer's sporting director for a similar role with Saudi Arabia raises concern due to its timing and potential impact. "Just when I thought the United States Soccer Federation couldn't get anymore bat-crap crazy, this happens. This is insane. Not that Matt Crocker going to Saudi Arabia, in and of itself is nothing, but right before the World Cup?" Lalas said on Tuesday's edition of "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union." "He hired Emma (Hayes), he hired Mauricio Pochettino, and he's done plenty of things behind the scenes. "I just think it's a weird and I think bad look, not just for the federation, but at a time when soccer can't afford to have these bad looks." The United States is gearing up to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in less than three months, but earlier Tuesday, FOX Sports' soccer insider Doug McIntyre reported that Crocker will be taking over as sporting director for Saudi Arabia, who is also competing in the World Cup. Crocker came to the U.S. in 2023 after previously serving then-English Premier League club Southampton as their director of football operations. In his three years with the federation, Crocker spearheaded the hires of U.S. women's coach Emma Hayes and U.S. men's coach Mauricio Pochettino. Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women's development Tracey Kevins and Dan Helfrich, the Federation's chief operating officer, will take over Crocker's duties leading up to the World Cup. While Crocker stepped down as the tournament looms, most of the U.S. men's national team's World Cup preparation is already in place under Pochettino, who will select the finalized 26-man roster on May 26. Lalas reiterated that the timing of his exit, amid the scrutiny the U.S. has faced, could not have come at a worse time. "It's another unnecessary own goal, if you will, for U.S. Soccer at a time when American soccer and this team doesn't need it. We got enough problems and enough angst and enough criticism going on," Lalas said. "So, we'll get past this and I hope it just becomes a blip. But again, that's just a strange look."]]>
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					<![CDATA[Mascherano Steps Down As Inter Miami Coach, Four Months After Winning MLS Cup]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/mascherano-steps-down-inter-miami-coach-four-months-after-winning-mls-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/mascherano-steps-down-inter-miami-coach-four-months-after-winning-mls-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Javier Mascherano is out as Inter Miami’s coach, a stunning move that comes only four months after leading Lionel Messi’s club to the MLS Cup title, Guillermo Hoyos will coach in the interim.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:49:06 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Javier Mascherano is out as Inter Miami’s coach, a stunning move that comes only four months after leading Lionel Messi’s club to the MLS Cup title. Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona and with Argentina's national team before reuniting with him as coach, is leaving for personal reasons, the team said. Mascherano's entire coaching staff has also left the club, though the team did not reveal any specifics as to why. In Mascherano's place as coach, at least in the short term, will be Guillermo Hoyos — who is credited, at least on some level, with discovering Messi at Barcelona's academy and predicting that he could become an all-time great. Messi was 16 at the time, in the very earliest days of a career that would see him win eight Ballon d'Or trophies, the World Cup and four Champions League titles. Messi has referred to Hoyos in interviews over the years as his "futbol dad." Hoyos is Messi's coach now, though how long that'll be the case remains a bit unclear. He inherits a team that is 3-1-3 and third in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, but fell flat in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this year — a tournament that the team made several roster moves solely with contending for that trophy in mind. "I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments," Mascherano said in remarks released by the team. The move comes not even two weeks after Inter Miami opened its new stadium near Miami International Airport. The club has tied both of its first two matches in the new facility. The team also said chief soccer officer Alberto Marrero is assuming the duties of sporting director going forward, meaning he will slide into the spot that Hoyos held until Tuesday. "Javier will forever be part of this club’s history. ... We respect his decision and are deeply grateful for everything he contributed," managing owner Jorge Mas said in comments released by the team. "Wishing him nothing but the very best in his professional and personal future." Reporting by The Associated Press]]>
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					<![CDATA[Sources: U.S. Soccer's Matt Crocker To Take Saudi Arabia Role Ahead of World Cup]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/u-s-soccer-sporting-director-matt-crocker-saudi-arabia-2026-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/u-s-soccer-sporting-director-matt-crocker-saudi-arabia-2026-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director to take a similar role with Saudi Arabia, multiple sources told me on Monday.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:51:16 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director with immediate effect to take a similar role with Saudi Arabia, multiple sources told me on Monday. Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women's development Tracey Kevins and Dan Helfrich, the organization's COO, will assume Crocker's duties in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. Crocker arrived from then-English Premier League club Southampton in 2023. He successfully recruited U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino during his almost three years as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s chief on-field executive. Hayes promptly led the women’s team to its fifth gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Crocker also landed Pochettino, considered one of the top managers in the global game following stints at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, in September 2024. The U.S. men kick off their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles. "I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt's decision," Helfrich said Monday in an exclusive interview. "Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations for this summer's tournament, and we have full confidence in them. This transition in no way impacts those plans, which have been long-established." Helfrich added that U.S. Soccer has already embarked on "a thoughtful and comprehensive search for a successor" for Crocker. "I anticipate we will look both domestically and globally in that process," he said. Former USA defender Onyewu, who represented the Stars and Stripes at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, was a candidate for the job that ultimately went to Crocker three years ago. In April 2023, Crocker was hired after Earnie Stewart, a three-time World Cup participant and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, left to take over Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Crocker, a native of Cardiff, Wales, then hit the ground running. The U.S. men’s squad was without a coach at the time, with World Cup 2022 boss Gregg Berhalter in limbo following a soap opera-worthy drama involving the parents of young attacker Gio Reyna. Crocker eventually rehired Berhalter but fired him a year later, in July 2024, days after the Americans became the first Copa América host nation not to survive the first round. Crocker landed Hayes the previous autumn, following the U.S. women’s premature exit from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She put the Americans back at the top of the women’s game almost immediately, securing a victory over Brazil in the Olympic final in Paris in just her 10th match at the USWNT's helm. Crocker’s experience leading U.S. Soccer in the years before the 2026 World Cup no doubt made him attractive to suitors across planet fútbol. The deep-pocketed Saudis will host the men’s tournament for the first time in 2034. Crocker, whose résumé also includes a stint as head of development for England’s Football Association, was heavily involved in the planning and design of the new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Atlanta. The sparkling $228 million facility opens next month and will be the home base for the U.S. men prior to their final two World Cup tuneups, against Senegal on May 31 and four-time champion Germany on June 6. Moroccan Nasser Larguet, who has served as Saudi Arabia’s technical director since 2002, is expected to leave his position this month, per multiple reports. "If you're going to compete at the highest levels in the sporting world, you expect that team members will have other opportunities," said Helfrich. "Soccer in our country and the federation overall are in a better place than several years ago when Matt joined, and we're grateful to him for those contributions." World Cup Tiers: Stacking All 48 Teams, From First-Timers to Favorites Several different scenarios would see the USA and Saudi Arabia meet at this summer’s World Cup. If Pochettino’s team tops Group D and then advances to the round of 16, the Saudis could be its opponent in Seattle on July 6. If both finish second in their respective groups and win knockout games in the new round of 32, they’d play each other on July 7 in Atlanta. If they both advance as third-place finishers in group play and then win their first elimination match, the countries will clash on July 4 in Philadelphia. And if both win their groups, they’d be on a collision course for the July 10 quarterfinal in Los Angeles. In theory, the 16th-ranked U.S. and No. 61 Saudi Arabia could also face off in the semis or in the July 19 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Green Falcons have reached the knockout rounds just once in six previous World Cup trips, when the United States last hosted the event in 1994. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).]]>
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					<![CDATA[Tottenham's Cristian Romero Out For Rest Of Season As Spurs Battle Relegation]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/tottenhams-cristian-romero-out-rest-season-spurs-battle-relegation</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/tottenhams-cristian-romero-out-rest-season-spurs-battle-relegation</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Tottenham have suffered a devastating setback in their fight against relegation with news that captain Cristian Romero will miss the rest of the Premier League campaign.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:20:28 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Tottenham have suffered a devastating setback in their fight against relegation with news that captain Cristian Romero will miss the rest of the Premier League campaign. The Argentine international sustained a serious knee injury during Sunday's narrow defeat at Sunderland, leaving new manager Roberto De Zerbi without his most influential defensive figure. Collision leads to heartbreak for Spurs captain The 27-year-old center back was forced off midway through the second half at the Stadium of Light following an incident in the penalty area. Romero appeared to be nudged in the back by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey and subsequently collided with his own goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky. The force of the impact left the defender in significant distress, and he was eventually replaced by Kevin Danso. Initial medical assessments have confirmed a partial tear of his medial cruciate ligament, according to BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel. Further tests are scheduled to take place in the coming days to determine the full extent of the structural damage, but ESPN and Mokbel report that the current timeframe suggested by internal sources indicates a layoff of between five and eight weeks. This schedule effectively ends his domestic season as Spurs look to navigate a treacherous run-in. World Cup hopes still alive for Romero While the news is a hammer blow for Tottenham's survival hopes, there is a silver lining for the player on the international stage. With the 2026 World Cup set to kick off in just under two months across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the projected recovery period should allow Romero to regain fitness in time for Argentina's title defense. The defender remains a cornerstone of Lionel Scaloni's back line and will be desperate to lead the Albiceleste this summer. The injury marks a difficult period for the defender, who has struggled with physical setbacks recently. It is his second major scare in a short timeframe, following a concussion-related substitution during a high-stakes Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid last month. For Spurs, the absence of their leader comes at the worst possible moment as they sit 18th in the table. De Zerbi faces defensive crisis amid rough start The dawn of the De Zerbi era at Tottenham could hardly have gone worse, as a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light was overshadowed by the season-ending injury to their talismanic defender. The north London club’s struggles continued as they failed to find a breakthrough, eventually succumbing to a deflected goal that leaves them mired in the relegation zone. Spurs had hoped for a "new manager bounce" under the former Brighton boss, but the afternoon turned sour during the second half. The result marks a bleak start for the new regime, with the club now sitting 18th in the Premier League table and facing the very real prospect of a battle for survival without their most influential defensive presence. Spurs stuck in relegation battle The loss of Romero comes at the worst possible time for a club in freefall. Tottenham are now two points adrift of safety and face a daunting run-in. Without their captain, De Zerbi must find a way to solidify a back line that has looked fragile throughout a disappointing campaign. The tactical shift expected under the Italian manager will now have to be implemented without his best individual defender. Next up for Spurs is a crucial home fixture against Brighton, a match that already feels like a "must-win" if they are to climb out of the bottom three. The absence of Romero’s leadership and physical presence will be a significant handicap, leaving the likes of Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven with the massive responsibility of keeping the club in the top flight.]]>
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					<![CDATA[USA Defender John Tolkin Injured for the 'Coming Weeks' Ahead of 2026 World Cup]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usa-john-tolkin-injured-2026-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usa-john-tolkin-injured-2026-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[United States defender John Tolkin will be out for “the coming weeks" with a knee ligament injury less than two months before the World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:38:53 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[United States defender John Tolkin will be out for "the coming weeks" with a knee ligament injury, his German club said on Monday, less than two months before the World Cup. Holstein Kiel said Tolkin injured the medial collateral ligament in a second-division game against Fortuna Duesseldorf on Friday and was "being treated conservatively." "As a result, the 23-year-old will not be available to us in the coming weeks," Kiel posted on X. "We wish you a speedy recovery, dear John!" The U.S. World Cup squad will be announced on May 26. Tolkin is a contender for left back along with Antonee Robinson and Max Arfsten, who played in the losses to Belgium and Portugal two weeks ago. Tolkin has played 10 games for the U.S., most recently in a 5-1 win over Uruguay in November, and was on the U.S. Under-23 team which reached the Paris Olympics quarterfinals in 2024. Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Back For Brazil? Ancelotti Won't Rule Out Thiago Silva Return For World Cup]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/carlo-ancelotti-opens-door-for-sensational-thiago-silva-return-to-brazil-squad-at-41-years-old</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/carlo-ancelotti-opens-door-for-sensational-thiago-silva-return-to-brazil-squad-at-41-years-old</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Carlo Ancelotti has refused to rule out a fairytale return to the Brazil national team for veteran defender Thiago Silva ahead of the upcoming World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:35:14 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Carlo Ancelotti has refused to rule out a fairytale return to the Brazil national team for veteran defender Thiago Silva ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Despite the centre-back now being 41 years old, the Italian tactician believes quality and experience far outweigh any numbers found on a passport. Age is just a number for Ancelotti Thiago Silva has not featured for the Selecao since the heartbreaking quarter-final exit against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, with the next global tournament fast approaching, Ancelotti has sparked speculation that the veteran could be set for one last dance on the international stage. The former Real Madrid boss was full of praise for the defender, who joined Porto in January and has featured nine times for the Portuguese giants. Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe, Ancelotti insisted that he does not discriminate against older players if they are still performing at the highest level. He used his current midfield maestro at the Bernabeu as a prime example of longevity in the modern game. The Modric and Maldini blueprints Ancelotti is no stranger to managing legendary figures who defy the ageing process. Having coached some of the greatest names in football history, the Italian pointed to icons he has worked with at AC Milan and Real Madrid to justify a potential recall for the former Chelsea and PSG star. He firmly believes that talent has no expiration date if the player maintains their physical condition. The Brazil coach explained his philosophy clearly, stating: "I never look at the date of birth on the passport. All Brazilian players can aspire to be on the list for the World Cup. It doesn't matter if he is 41 years old. If he deserves to be there, he will be. Age is not a problem. See Paolo Maldini, who was almost 39 when he won a Champions League final, or Luka Modric, who is 40 today." A future on the touchline Beyond his current capabilities on the pitch, Ancelotti also touched upon Thiago Silva’s intellectual approach to the game. The defender has already begun making plans for life after his playing career, previously telling ESPN about his studies to obtain coaching badges. It is a transition that his former Milan manager believes will be seamless given Silva's tactical discipline and work ethic. Ancelotti was quick to tip the 41-year-old for success in the dugout once he finally decides to hang up his boots. "Thiago will be a great coach, of that I have no doubt. He has experience, worked with some really brilliant coaches during his career, and I'm not talking about me," he said with a smile. "And he works very hard... I am very happy to know that I managed to inspire some of them..." The final push for World Cup glory With Brazil looking to end their long wait for a sixth world title, the inclusion of a seasoned veteran like Silva could provide the leadership and composure required in knockout football. While the squad has seen an influx of young talent recently, Ancelotti admitted that the emergence of new players only "increases the doubt" when it comes to finalising a selection, leaving the door wide open for experience to play a part. If Silva were to make the cut, he would become one of the oldest players to ever feature in a World Cup. For now, the defender remains a viable option in Ancelotti's eyes, proving that as long as the performance levels remain high, the dream of representing the yellow and green of Brazil remains alive, regardless of age.]]>
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					<![CDATA[FIFA World Cup FAQ: How Are Penalties Awarded And What Are The Rules?]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/fifa-world-cup-faq-how-penalties-awarded</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/fifa-world-cup-faq-how-penalties-awarded</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Everything you need to know about the penalty kick ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:05:11 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The most pressure-packed scoring opportunity in soccer might be the one where no one is defending: the penalty kick. A goal is almost certain, so long as you keep a cool head and beat the goalkeeper. Simple enough, right? But what exactly is a penalty kick, and how is it awarded? Here's everything you need to know about the penalty kick ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: What Is A Penalty Kick? A penalty kick — or "PK" — is a one-on-one duel between a field player and a goalkeeper in which the field player tries to score a direct kick from the penalty spot. How Is A Penalty Kick Awarded? A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a foul — tripping, pushing or a handball — inside the penalty area, which is a large 18-yard box that extends from the goal line into the field of play. The total width of the box is 44 yards. A penalty can be awarded in the run of play or during a Video Assistant Referee check. Who Takes The Penalty Kick? The designated penalty taker is usually predetermined based on a player's proven ability to score, from the penalty spot or otherwise. For example, Harry Kane, the active leading goalscorer for England, is the designated penalty taker for the Three Lions. How Far Is The Penalty Spot? The penalty is 12 yards from the center of the goal line, meaning that there are just 12 yards that separate the penalty taker and the goalkeeper at the time of a penalty kick. What Are The Rules For The Penalty Taker? The penalty taker is given freedom to confuse the goalkeeper during their run-up to the kick so long as: If a penalty taker participates in illegal feinting, they will be cautioned and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. If a penalty taker makes contact with the ball more than once during their attempt and the attempt is successful, the penalty kick will be retaken. If it isn't, it will be recorded as a miss and play will resume. What Are The Rules For The Goalkeeper? The goalkeeper must follow three key rules during a penalty kick: face the kicker, stay between the goalposts and keep at least one foot on or over the goal line until the kick. If a goalkeeper leaves their line during a penalty attempt and the attempt is unsuccessful, it will be retaken. If the attempt is successful, it will result in a goal. Additionally, goalkeepers may not touch the goalposts, crossbar or netting as an intimidation tactic. Trash-talking is also not permitted. How Often Are Penalty Kicks Awarded? There were 23 penalty kicks awarded at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was six fewer than in 2018. Argentina led all countries in penalty attempts with five, and its designated penalty taker, Lionel Messi, converted all five attempts.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Tyler Adams Returns: USA Midfielder 'Ready To Go' for Bournemouth vs. Arsenal]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/us-midfielder-tyler-adams-ready-to-go-for-bournemouth-game-at-arsenal</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/us-midfielder-tyler-adams-ready-to-go-for-bournemouth-game-at-arsenal</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams is set to return from a quadriceps injury for the Cherries’ game at Premier League-leading Arsenal on Saturday]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:26:35 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams is set to return from a quadriceps injury for the Cherries' game at Premier League-leading Arsenal on Saturday. The 27-year-old USA star missed Bournemouth's last two matches as well as two U.S. friendlies over the international break. "I am feeling strong and ready to go," Adams, the U.S. captain at the 2022 World Cup, told club media. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola confirmed on Friday that Adams is available and "in a good place." Staying in Bournemouth to rehab, Adams said, "gave me a period of time to get stronger, get more fit and focus on the objectives with the boys here." "I’m feeling consistent, I’m feeling strong now and I think it’s just important to finish the season strong," said Adams, who also missed time this season because of an MCL tear. Bournemouth takes an 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League to north London. The Cherries' last loss in the league was to Arsenal — 3-2 at home on Jan. 3. The team is 13th in the standings with seven games left in the season. Bournemouth's only injured players as of Friday morning, Iraola said, are forward Justin Kluivert and midfielder Lewis Cook. "I will even have to make difficult decisions because probably (there) will more than 20 ready to travel," Iraola said. ___ The Associated Press contributed to this report]]>
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