SEATTLE — That red card doesn’t sit right.

Not just because Seattle soccer fans will be deprived of the brilliance of Folarin Balogun, who was sent off in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 FIFA Men's World Cup win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday. Not just because the 24-year-old forward has emerged as an irreplaceably potent ...Read more

SEATTLE — In the aftermath of Belgium’s unlikely comeback to top Senegal and advance in the FIFA Men’s World Cup, veteran midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was asked where the match landed on his all-time list.

De Bruyne’s been around for a while now. He’s played in four World Cups and in massive matches all across Europe.

“I’ve been ...Read more

MIAMI — Lionel Messi disembarked from a private jet with his family at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on July 11, 2023, following a Caribbean vacation. He wore pink shorts and a smile. It was time to get back to work.

The airport is directly across the street from the Inter Miami training facility, where the next chapter of the Argentine ...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Spain achieved its primary goal at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, defeating Austria, 3-0, and advancing to the World Cup round of 16 in front of a pro-Spain announced crowd of 70,492.

The Spaniards extended their unbeaten match streak to 34 games and their win streak over European teams to 35 dating back to 2023. They have yet ...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In 2010, the Spanish men’s national soccer team, led by Andres Iniesta and Xavi and a long list of stars, staked its claim as the best in the world in winning the World Cup.

Since then, Spain has had early exits, from a group-stage disappointment in 2014 to consecutive round of 16 departures in 2018 and 2022, leaving ...Read more

It was the step seen ‘round the World Cup.

High-definition footage, slowed down and frozen, of United States striker Folarin Balogun stepping on the bent ankle of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic as they jockeyed for the ball.

The contact appeared unintentional, but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Balogun was assessed a...Read more

SEATTLE — Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend Monday's USA vs. Belgium round of 16 FIFA Men's World Cup match in Seattle, a King County spokesperson said Thursday morning.

"We've been told that neither the president nor the vice president will be attending the July 6 match," Cameron Satterfield, ...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Two sets of fans enjoyed the opportunity to relax and celebrate the World Cup scene on Thursday at SoFi Stadium.

Neither had a team on the pitch.

Sure, the stands were loaded with enthusiastic Spain supporters, including Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem — and seemingly a handful of Austria’s faithful — but Mexico and...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — What do you mean U.S. forward Folarin Balogun got red-carded? For that?

As a nation, we're pretty new to all this. And this VAR abomination we've all now been introduced to? Thanks, we hate it.

Soccer's video assistant referee system is worse than the NBA's tedious in-game reviews. Worse than the existential NFL ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mauricio Pochettino's team continues to do things in this summer's World Cup that no U.S. team has ever done before.

Its three wins are the most in a single tournament. So are the 10 goals in four games. It has the best goal differential ever and its two shutouts ties a record.

Yet all that means absolutely nothing to ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Eric Wahl began the trek to his first in-person men’s World Cup match from the familiarity of Pioneer Square, a half-mile walk to Lumen Field in Seattle.

He’d traveled along the same route several times, maybe dozens, but never like this. The road was so packed that his feet disappeared along the pavement, obstructed ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Levi’s Stadium shares a parking lot with the Great America amusement park, which was closed Wednesday to accommodate the sold out World Cup match.

The roller-coaster ride, it turned out, was inside the stadium.

The United States got a goal late in the first half against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then grabbed the ...Read more

SEATTLE — If you weren’t a soccer person three weeks ago, there’s a real good chance you are today.

If you were down on the aesthetics of the beautiful game, it probably looks like a Rembrandt now.

There has been no shortage of heart-racing drama. The average BPM hasn’t dipped below triple digits.

There are still myriad games to go, ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The U.S. cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s red card and ensuing suspension for the Americans’ round of 16 match against Belgium, U.S. soccer officials confirmed.

FIFA rules governing the 2026 World Cup, first cited by the Athletic, state that “a sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The world’s best soccer teams don’t just play the beautiful game.

They know how to drag you into the mud, hold your head down and check their watches while you drown.

On Wednesday in Santa Clara, the U.S. Men’s National Team proved they can do both.

They didn’t just flash class. They flashed brass knuckles, too...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Levi’s Stadium’s capacity crowd, dressed in a red-white-and-blue bouquet, rose in unison and wildly celebrated Malik Tillman’s incredulous insurance goal that would secure the United States’ path to the World Cup’s round of 16.

Those fans remained on their feet until the undermanned USA side emerged with a 2-0,...Read more

SEATTLE — A foamy beer. A bag of frites. Devil horns. Even a smurf’s bonnet.

The headwear of the Belgians assembled at Seattle’s Victory Hall on Wednesday featured many tongue-in-cheek odes to the country of less than 12 million people, which reached the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup in the Emerald City this week.

Stunning Senegal...Read more

BALTIMORE — The World Cup has reached the most electric part of the tournament when the sport’s universe seems to orbit around its host cities.

The group stage concluded this past weekend, and the elimination rounds have kicked off. Every match now carries consequences, heartbreak and the possibility of an unforgettable moment that becomes ...Read more