FIFA World Cup

fan during a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Atlante and Auckland City

How a bigger FIFA World Cup could lead to March Madness-style drama

The world governing body for soccer has decided to expand the format of its men's World Cup from 32 teams to 48, effective 2026. So, get ready for a big debate over this for the next nine years.

How a bigger FIFA World Cup could lead to March Madness-style drama
Former Brazilian soccer captain Carlos Alberto Torres holds the FIFA World Cup trophy in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 21, 2010.

Brazil says goodbye to its 'eternal captain'

Brazil says goodbye to its 'eternal captain'
Brazil Zika and Olympic budget comparison chart

The budget for the Rio Olympics is 16 times higher than the budget to combat the Zika virus

The budget for the Rio Olympics is 16 times higher than the budget to combat the Zika virus
FIFA President Bladder leaves podium after resignation

5 things FIFA should do right now

5 things FIFA should do right now
Laborers working on the Qatar 2022 World Cup project arrive at their accommodations in Doha.

Big-money World Cup sponsors may be the last hope for Qatar's migrant workers

Big-money World Cup sponsors may be the last hope for Qatar's migrant workers
Laborers work at a construction site in Doha on June 18, 2012.

Foreign workers face exploitation and death while building Qatar's World Cup sites

As many as 1,000 foreign workers have been killed on construction sites in Qatar since it was awarded the 2022 World Cup four years ago. Poor pay, inhumane conditions, malnutrition and death — all are part of life for the men trying to build the new stadiums and hotels, while supporting their families.

Foreign workers face exploitation and death while building Qatar's World Cup sites
Stephanie Roche

Meet the woman who could be awarded FIFA's Goal of the Year

Ireland's Stephanie Roche could become the first woman to ever to win FIFA's Puskás Award for scoring the best goal of the year. Her spectacular shot became a YouTube sensation and earned her a place on the shortlist with Colombia's James Rodriguez and Hollands' Robin van Persie.

Meet the woman who could be awarded FIFA's Goal of the Year
Watching the 2014 World Cup final at a pub in Moscow.  Russia hosts the next World Cup in 2018, and Russian fans are hoping it will go as well as the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russians will be proud to host the 2018 World Cup, if their team can up its game

Russians, buoyed by their success at the Sochi Winter Olympics this year, are looking forward to the World Cup in 2018. But they're worried the Russian national soccer team, which tied twice and lost once in Brazil, will let them down.

Russians will be proud to host the 2018 World Cup, if their team can up its game
Isodoro the ocelot picks Germany to win the World Cup.

We asked and here's the name you picked for the newest, and possibly, cutest addition to the Franklin Park Zoo

Boston's Franklin Park Zoo partners with The World to name its newest, and possibly, cutest addition to the zoo.

We asked and here's the name you picked for the newest, and possibly, cutest addition to the Franklin Park Zoo
Isodoro the ocelot picks Germany to win the World Cup.

Izzy says ja! It's Germany for the World Cup title

Sports writers are calling Sunday's World Cup final "Messi vs. the Machine," and Izzy says the machine can't be stopped. Our World Cup ocelot is calling a win — and a world championship — for Germany. And we've even got an extra surprise...

Izzy says ja! It's Germany for the World Cup title
A Brazilian policeman pulls a gun out of the window of a car during a June 23 protest against the World Cup on a street in São Paulo. Activists say the arrests of two men at those protests were trumped up by police.

Are Brazilian police framing anti-World Cup protesters?

Two men are accused of carrying explosives at an anti-World Cup protest last month, but activists say they have evidence showing the charges are made up.

Are Brazilian police framing anti-World Cup protesters?

How Argentinians made 'Bad Moon Rising' their soccer anthem

Argentinians have caused a stir with a new song that's sung to the tune of Credence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising.

How Argentinians made 'Bad Moon Rising' their soccer anthem
German soccer fans celebrate after watching a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 8, 2014.

Even Germans are stunned by their historic win over Brazil

It was Brazil's worst game in World Cup history, and it was hard to watch — except for Germans. But even the victorious fans were left speechless after the 7-1 drubbing.

Even Germans are stunned by their historic win over Brazil
A Brazil fan cries as she watches the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany at a fan area in Brasilia. Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil on Tuesday.

For Brazilians, a huge loss caps a costly and disappointing World Cup

Brazil lost big during Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Germany. It's only a game — but for Brazilians it took on much greater meaning, both personal and political.

For Brazilians, a huge loss caps a costly and disappointing World Cup
Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano

Before Messi and Maradona, there was Di Stefano

The Argentine soccer superstar Alfredo Di Stefano also known as the 'Blond Arrow' passed away on Monday at 88-years-old.

Before Messi and Maradona, there was Di Stefano