world cup

Stephanie Labbe raises her hands while standing in goal.

'I can't control my gender'

Stephanie Labbé is one of Canada's best women soccer players. Two years ago, she was the goalkeeper for Canada's bronze-medal winning Olympic soccer team in Rio. After the games, Labbé wanted to keep playing professionally in Canada, but there are no professional women's teams.

'I can't control my gender'
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

How a bigger FIFA World Cup could lead to March Madness-style drama
FIFA's newly elected president Gianni Infantino poses with the Qatar Workers Cup trophy in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2016.

Would FIFA really pull soccer’s World Cup from Qatar if human rights abuses there continue?

Would FIFA really pull soccer’s World Cup from Qatar if human rights abuses there continue?
German players celebrate with their trophy after winning the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

Brace yourselves: A Winter World Cup is coming

Brace yourselves: A Winter World Cup is coming
Journalists look at a light installation showing the official logotype of the 2018 FIFA World Cup during its unveiling ceremony at the Bolshoi Theater building in Moscow, October 28, 2014.

FIFA clears Russia and Qatar of corruption over World Cup bids — but its own investigator isn't so sure

FIFA clears Russia and Qatar of corruption over World Cup bids — but its own investigator isn't so sure

For the men's World Cup, Canada ryegrass seed was exported to Brazil. Why wasn't it used for the women in Canada?

At the World Cup in Brazil, the pitches took a beating. But Brazil had a secret to beat that foot traffic and slide tackling — hardy, perennial ryegrass seed from Manitoba, Canada. Why wouldn't Canada have provided it to its own Women's World Cup?

For the men's World Cup, Canada ryegrass seed was exported to Brazil. Why wasn't it used for the women in Canada?
Isidoro the Ocelot

What's Izzy's prediction for the next US match?

Izzy the ocelot has made a prediction about the next US match. He's been predicting US games for us in this World Cup. So, who did he pick?

What's Izzy's prediction for the next US match?

Five Things You Had To See Online This Week

This week in “Thanks, Internet” — floppy disk drive jams, MS Paint World Cup recaps, OK Go makes another masterpiece, farewell to funnies, and the most important six seconds of Summ...

Five Things You Had To See Online This Week

Stromae Drops “Ta Fete” for World Cup, Makes U.S. Debut

Haven&#8217;t yet heard of Stromae, the Rwandan-Belgian singer, songwriter and megastar? Don&#8217;t worry&#8211;we&#8217;re pretty sure you&#8217;ll have your chance. After years of slaying European audiences with heartsick tracks (and brilliant videos) like &#8220;Formidable&#8221;  and his breakout hit &#8220;Papaoutai&#8221; (read our take ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/19033/stromae-drops-ta-fete-for-world-cup-makes-us-debut/"> Read more &#187;</a>

Stromae Drops “Ta Fete” for World Cup, Makes U.S. Debut
Isidoro the Ocelot chooses Ghana

Izzy's Pick: Ghana over USA

It's time for Isidoro the ocelot to make his first pick. Who will it be, USA or Ghana?

Izzy's Pick: Ghana over USA
BenJor

We asked and you answered: Your World Cup playlist

Need a playlist to get you pumped up for the World Cup? Look no further, The World's listeners have got you covered.

We asked and you answered: Your World Cup playlist
Fans in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, cheer for their hero, Didier Drogba. Drogba, a former African Player of the Year, is the inspiration for the term, 'drogbacité.'

Eight words and phrases that only make sense at the World Cup

What do "handbags," "ringlets" and "drogbacité" mean in a soccer context?

Eight words and phrases that only make sense at the World Cup
The World

The Chilean miners have a message to their country's World Cup team - we survived, you better win

The 33 Chilean miners who spent 70 days trapped underground in 2010 are now starring in a new TV ad, urging fans to support Chile's World Cup soccer team. The miners deliver a rousing message to the nation. But it may sound a little intimidating to the players.

The Chilean miners have a message to their country's World Cup team - we survived, you better win
United States' Landon Donovan reacts after his team conceded a goal in extra time during the 2010 World Cup second round match against Ghana at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 26, 2010.

The US World Cup team is announced, with one star noticeably absent

US soccer superstar Landon Donovan won't be on US Soccer's National Team for the 2014 World Cup. Fans are angry, but there are some good reasons, explains Grantland's Men in Blazers co-host Roger Bennett.

The US World Cup team is announced, with one star noticeably absent

The 2014 Afropop (Un)official World Cup Album

If sports are a metaphor for life, then the 2014 World Cup, held this summer in Brazil, is probably an extremely obvious metaphor for the socio-economic divides of contemporary Brazil. Preparation for the games has come at a high price ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/17831/the-2014-afropop-unofficial-world-cup-album/"> Read more &#187;</a>

The 2014 Afropop (Un)official World Cup Album