The USMNT's to-do list before the 2026 World Cup, ranked by urgency
The USMNT's failure at the Gold Cup makes it clear changes are needed before the 2026 World Cup. Here are the five keys, ranked by urgency.
Weah to Marseille, Reyna to anywhere but Dortmund? Best transfer fits for USMNT stars
The World Cup is just one year away, so what moves, if any, should these eight USMNT players make to ensure they'll be in top form next summer?
KC Current aim to host WC team in new facilities
The Kansas City Current broke ground on more real estate expansion, bringing their investment in soccer facilities to between $225 million and $250 million.
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia to renew rivalry in fourth round of Asian World Cup qualifiers
Indonesia will get the chance to pull off another upset against Saudi Arabia in the next stage of the Asian qualifiers.
World Cup lessons from Club World Cup: Extreme weather, bad traffic, kickoff times, more
With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup behind us, what issues emerged this summer that need to be addressed ahead of next summer's World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada? Our reporters weigh in.
FIFA, players agree to mandatory rest periods
Player unions secured an apparent victory in their battle for mandatory rest periods after a meeting in New York with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino: Covered stadiums to be used at '26 WC
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said stadiums with roofs will be used to ease concerns over severe weather at the 2026 Men's World Cup.
Chelsea's Enzo: Heat at CWC 'very dangerous'
Chelsea's Enzo Fernández has said the playing conditions at the Club World Cup are "very dangerous" and urged FIFA to "change the schedule" at the 2026 World Cup to avoid putting players at risk in the tournament next year.
Is the United States too hot to handle the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup?
The 2025 Club World Cup has been punctuated by a brutal heat wave in the U.S. that has left players and coaches flustered. The bigger question: What will such weather do for next summer's World Cup?
USMNT built foundation of pride, aggression at Gold Cup
Spanish soccer expert Graham Hunter followed the USMNT at the Gold Cup, and he saw the foundations being laid for Mauricio Pochettino's vision.
USMNT's real test from here will be learning from Gold Cup final loss to Mexico
There were plenty of difficult lessons for the USMNT in the Gold Cup final loss to Mexico on Sunday. How Mauricio Pochettino & Co. respond will be telling.
Poch: U.S. needs 'pressure' of final before '26 WC
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said his team needs the "pressure" Sunday's Gold Cup final against Mexico to prepare for next summer's World Cup.
USMNT still hasn't had a convincing win since Pochettino took over. Time is running out
Since Pochettino became USMNT coach, the team still hasn't had a signature win. The Gold Cup final vs. Mexico is the last chance before the 2026 World Cup.
WC hosts can serve Gold Cup bans in friendlies
Concacaf confirmed on Wednesday that any red card suspensions incurred by players from the United States, Canada or Mexico during the Gold Cup will be served in their next international friendly match, rather than carrying over to next year's World Cup.
NWSL to take June break for '26 men's World Cup
The NWSL announced on Wednesday that it will not play games next June for the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be predominantly played in the United States.
Pink Card tells the story of Iranian women fighting for their rights, with the soccer stadium as a battleground.
In Iran, women are banned from soccer stadiums. But some dare to defy that. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, Pink Card tells a story of Iranian women fighting for their rights across three generations. They use ingenious tactics and risk their lives to take back their stadiums and their joy in the game. Created by Shima Oliaee (Dolly Parton’s America, Radiolab), Pink Card will forever change how you see fandom and freedom. Available December 8th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Series host Shima Oliaee found soccer was a portal to her mother’s home country: Iran. Why did soccer mean so much to her? Shima and her mom meet a young Iranian woman and soccer fan, who’s been named an enemy of the state.
What if I told you...women in Iran *can’t even go to a soccer game.* They’re banned from stadiums. New from 30 for 30 Podcasts, ‘Pink Card’ tells the tale of Iranian women who dare to risk it all – for the simple right to watch a soccer match. Creator Shima Oliaee (Oh-lee-eye) reports on generations of women – who’ve fought to take back their stadiums – and their joy of the game. ‘Pink Card’ will forever change how you see fandom and freedom - keep listening for the first episode and binge the full season now in the 30 for 30 Podcasts feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The new regime in Iran strips women’s rights, bit by bit. When women are banned from the national soccer stadium, it becomes a battleground.
This episode starts with two questions: If women equally led the 1979 revolution, why were their rights stripped away first? How does this happen to an emboldened part of the population? At first, the women fight back, chanting “Azadi! Azadi!” [translation: “Freedom! Freedom!”] in the streets until the clerics back down. But in a story told by legendary writer and activist Mehrangiz Kar, women’s rights erode one by one – leading us to the nationwide ban on women at stadiums. This is when Iran's national soccer stadium becomes a battleground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An activist group, the "White Scarves,” meets in secret. The women use high-profile soccer games to get press. Their capers get them into the stadium, but they face grave danger.
One game sets off a movement. In 1997 Iran surprisingly makes the World Cup in the last three minutes of play against Australia. When Iran's national team gets helicoptered into Azadi Stadium to celebrate, women are asked to stay home. They don't listen, and thousands rush the stadium. This is the origin story of the White Scarves, a group that uses international soccer matches to defy the regime and take back their country. As the White Scarves gain international fame, they face grave danger at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A new generation defies the stadium ban. They cross-dress as men and go public on social media. They face dire consequences and also a brief victory. Pink Card connects the 2022 uprising to the longer struggle for women.
(Warning: this episode includes description of a suicide). The newest generation of Iranian girl soccer fans take a bold new approach. They cross-dress as men to sneak into Azadi Stadium, documenting their rebellion live on social media - an irreverent middle finger to the government. One of those girls is Zeinab Sahafy, from Episode 1. One night four of her friends are arrested and she flees for her life. Another girl, still in the country, loses her life. In a moment described as “a miracle,” Iran’s regime relents on its ban and thousands of women enter the stadium. We end Pink Card wondering how this hard-won slice of freedom connects to the 2022 historic protests and a possible new revolution, more than 40 years after Shima’s teenage mother left home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
If Americans don't move in this transfer window, is the USMNT's 2026 World Cup doomed?
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, how important is it USMNT players transfer to better clubs or find clubs where they can play more?
Club World Cup offers clues about Messi's role with Argentina in 2026
The Club World Cup illustrated how Lionel Messi can compete against world-class defenses, so what can Argentina expect from him at the 2026 World Cup?
Laurens 'so happy' to see Pogba sign for Monaco (2:02)
How Tony Popovic guided the Socceroos to the 2026 World Cup
When the latest round of qualification began badly, Australia turned to Tony Popovic. Here's the inside story of how he turned things around and helped the Socceroos book a berth at the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo: Needed rest more than Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo has said resting up to play in a record sixth World Cup was more important to him than switching teams to play in the Club World Cup.
FIFA World Cup Table
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
| Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +7 | 7 |
| United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -5 | 1 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Poland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 6 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Denmark | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| Group E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 4 |
| Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 3 |
| Group F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| Croatia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +3 | 5 |
| Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
| Group G | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Serbia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| Group H | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |