Soccer

First AI World Cup in history: What technology innovations are used during sports' biggest stage?

Almost every action on the pitch will generate digital data, from player positions, ball movement, contact points, refereeing decisions, crowd movement, and even broadcast output for viewers.

A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - June 12, 2026 Elyanna performs during the opening ceremony before the match.

Israeli-Arab singer from Nazareth, Elyanna, takes the stage at 2026 World Cup opening ceremony

A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

FIFA World Cup 2026: The beautiful game in an unbeautiful world - opinion

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group A - Iran v United Arab Emirates - Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, Iran - March 20, 2025.

FIFA World Cup 2026 to break records with 3.7 million tons of carbon emissions, Israeli firm finds


Meet Matt Turner, the only Jewish player on Team USA in 2026 World Cup

Turner has 53 career appearances with the US national team, with a 29-16-8 overall record, including 27 clean sheets.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner applauds fans after the match

Ontario breaks Guinness World Record for largest human foosball game in honor of FIFA World Cup

The event was monitored by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Chloe McCarthy, who checked in the participants and explained the rules of the game, ensuring no regulations were broken.

Ontario breaks world record for largest human foosball game in honor of FIFA World Cup.

Special promotions for the World Cup

The games are beginning, and electrical and food retail chains are pulling out all the stops to get you to shop with them. These are the deals you cannot afford to miss.

Gali

Iranian-Americans call on FIFA to expel Iran from World Cup

Another protester said the players were being used like tools to help the Iranian government look good on the world stage and that the players deserved little pity.

A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Iran threatens to stop World Cup games if faced with unauthorized flags or slogans

Iran’s sports minister has warned FIFA that the team could halt matches if unauthorized flags are displayed or political chants heard in stadiums, raising tensions ahead of the tournament.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.

Iran seizes exiled soccer star Ali Karimi's villa, assets over alleged Israel ties

Karimi, who is currently living in exile in the United States, became a major voice of anti-regime protests in 2022. This is not the first time his assets have been seized by the regime.

Iran's Ali Karimi speaks during a pre-match news conference during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament in Kuala Lumpur July 14, 2007.

Former soccer player Haim Sirotkin sentenced to one year in prison for running over protesters

The court convicted him of reckless and negligent conduct involving a vehicle, finding that while he did not intend to hit the protesters, he knowingly accelerated his car and disregarded risks.

 Haim Sirotkin, driver who is suspected of running over protesters last night during a demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and against the current Israeli government, arrives for a court hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Tel Aviv on April 7, 2024.

World Cup referee from Somalia denied entry to US

Omar Artan was the only Somalian referee on FIFA's World Cup list, with the nation on the US list of "fully suspended" countries for entry.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Danish soccer player Eriksen collapses for second time in career, is conscious, DR reports

Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in a match against Ukraine on Sunday, but was conscious, public broadcaster DR reported.

Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen, pictured May 21, 2026.

World Cup 2026: Why millions of Iranians refuse to cheer for the regime’s team - opinion

When a state actively wages war against the core pillars of a country’s heritage, any institution operating under its direct banner loses its national legitimacy. 

Official FIFA World Cup 2026 host city poster collection. Toronto, Canada.