International sports

PARIS, France --  The occupants of Tadej Pogačar's team car cried when he won on Alpe d'Huez. The now five-time Tour de France champion just felt bemused.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The largest, longest and most complex World Cup in history came to a close Sunday, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. But FIFA president Gianni Infantino didn't bother waiting for the final result before passing judgment on the tournament. "By all means this World Cup has exceeded all expectations," he said during a reception at Trump Tower two days before ...

It has been one of the most enthralling and memorable World Cups of modern times.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After winning the 2022 World Cup, just before lifting the shimmering trophy, the Emir of Qatar approached Lionel Messi and adorned him in a bisht, a traditional hand-woven black robe reserved for Arab royalty.

NEW YORK — The storybook ending eluded Lionel Messi. Soccer’s biggest superstar, still playing at an otherworldly level at age 39, sat on the grass at MetLife Stadium, his thousand-yard stare saying more than words ever could. Spain, in well-earned exuberance, celebrated nearby. It wasn’t until the on-field medal ceremony that Messi’s pained expression turned to tears. A second World Cup ...

Spain’s players dominated the 2026 World Cup awards, winning three individual accolades after their 1-0 win over Argentina in Sunday’s final.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After years of planning, months of training, weeks of playing and days of game-planning, the largest, loudest and most scrutinized World Cup ever staged came down to the final minutes.

It was one of those lines that sounded like nothing but said it all, a mission statement hiding in plain sight.

NEW YORK – There was a strong theme of mutual respect and admiration from the figureheads of Spain and Argentina as the teams enter the final day of preparation before Sunday’s World Cup final.

They said Lionel Messi made a big mistake leaving soccer’s cathedrals in Europe three years ago to sign with a fledgling Inter Miami team that sat in last place in Major League Soccer and played at a temporary stadium. Sure, MLS would benefit greatly by signing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of the defending World Cup champion Argentina team, but Messi’s game would suffer, ...

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The English and French teams wish they were not in South Florida this weekend.

Lionel Messi is on course to make World Cup history once again, with the Argentina captain the overwhelming favorite to win the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

The “Hand of God” is a phrase embedded in the legend and lore of international soccer and the grudge-rivalry that is Argentina vs. England.

ATLANTA – Thomas Tuchel insists he has “no regrets” about England’s approach in their World Cup semifinal defeat by Argentina.

ATLANTA – Lionel Messi and Argentina will play Spain in the World Cup final Sunday after they scored twice in six minutes and 24 seconds at the end of a ferocious semifinal to break England hearts.

Before this summer's World Cup, FIFA asked the 48 participating teams to provide a list of songs to be played during warmups and goal celebrations and, if appropriate, after victories. On the U.S. list was John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," which quickly became the anthem of the team's run through the tournament. A more appropriate choice would have been the Buzzcocks' "Sixteen Again," because once again that's where the Americans' World Cup ended.

Nobody has scored more World Cup goals than Lionel Messi, who is up to 21 heading into Argentina’s Wednesday semifinal against England.

After 100 matches at the 2026 World Cup, four teams are left standing.

LONDON — Italian top seed Jannik Sinner retained his Wimbledon men's singles title after rallying from a set down to beat German second seed Alexander Zverev on Sunday. The 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2) 6-3, 6-4 victory is the fifth Grand Slam title for 24-year-old Sinner and first of the year after he also beat record men's major winner Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. "I'm very happy of course about ...