The World Cup Is a Year Away. Who’s In?

By BY RORY SMITH from NYT Sports The field for Qatar 2022 is starting to take shape. Here’s a look at where things stand so far.https://nyti.ms/3kWFZup

For Seasoned Soccer Travelers, No Other Trip Qualifies

By BY ANDREW KEH AND TAMIR KALIFA from NYT Sports Hitting the road for a World Cup qualifier might be one of the most unsung fan experiences in U.S. sports. Expansion of the tournament might change it forever.https://nyti.ms/3mCC1Hv

A World Cup Every Two Years? Why?

By BY RORY SMITH from NYT Sports Soccer is in love with the Big Idea. But a focus on fundamentally changing the game’s calendar leaves no room for a necessary debate about fixing it.https://nyti.ms/2YMjNLt

For a Thriving U.S. Soccer Team, Challenges Create Opportunities

By BY ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports Ahead of World Cup qualifying, a young team with a fresh attitude says it is unburdened by the failure of its predecessors to qualify for the tournament.https://nyti.ms/3BxKaTq

For a Thriving U.S. Soccer Team, Challenges Create Opportunities

By BY ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports Ahead of World Cup qualifying, a young team with a fresh attitude says it is unburdened by the failure of its predecessors to qualify for the tournament.https://nyti.ms/3yINnOa

Saudi Arabia Mulls Bid for 2030 World Cup

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports Saudi Arabia is pursuing an ambitious plan to secure the hosting rights to soccer’s marquee event, but the effort faces political and technical obstacles.https://nyti.ms/3pGs3Ge

Diego Maradona, One of Soccer’s Greatest Players, Is Dead at 60

By BY JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports He was ranked with Pele among the best, and his ability to surprise and startle won over fans and even critics. But his excesses and addictions darkened his legacy.https://nyti.ms/3l3KZur

The Best NYC Bars for Watching the 2019 Women’s World Cup

By Unknown Author from NYT Sports The 2019 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and all 24 teams are still competing. If you live in New York, you can eat, drink and watch the games with countless fan bases, from the Jamaicans to the Germans. Here’s a guide to some of the biggest parties celebrating some of those teams competing in France.https://nyti.ms/2FdX4v0

A Rout Too Far? After 13-0 Win, U.S. Is Criticized and Defended

By DANIELLE ALLENTUCK from NYT Sports Everyone had an opinion after the Americans thrashed Thailand for the most lopsided win in World Cup history.https://nyti.ms/2XN5Sj2

Powerful Sheikh Linked to Bribe Scheme Is Still a Soccer Power

By TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah of Kuwait was supposed to step back from international sports after he was named in a probe. He has not.https://nyti.ms/2UI31tX

FIFA Considering Proposal to Stage World Cup Every Two Years

By RORY SMITH from NYT Sports South American soccer leaders are behind the proposal, which is under study by world soccer’s governing body.https://nyti.ms/2Ra8kN7

Players in Any ‘Breakaway’ League Would Be Barred From World Cup, FIFA Says

By TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports A World Cup without Neymar? Without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Gianni Infantino is threatening bannings over a potential breakaway league.https://nyti.ms/2yV5aG0

That Spitting Thing at the World Cup? It’s Probably ‘Carb Rinsing’

By JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports Players take a swig, swish it around and then spit it out. They’re playing a trick on their brains.https://nyti.ms/2KPfS8T

When the World’s Greatest Soccer Players Gather, Scouts Stay Away

By RORY SMITH from NYT Sports Hoping to avoid irrational exuberance and bad information, scouts no longer view the World Cup as a place to find emerging talent.https://nyti.ms/2IVw2b1

A Fashion Expert and a Soccer Expert Had a Conversation About World Cup Kits

By VANESSA FRIEDMAN and RORY SMITH from NYT Sports Or, if you prefer: A fashion expert and a soccer expert had a conversation about World Cup uniformshttps://https://nyti.ms/2sZE5yd

Mo Salah, Now Starring in Chechnya

By JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports He was apparently roused from sleep by the Chechen strongman Ramzan A. Kadyrov. Egypt’s World Cup training camp has begun. https://nyti.ms/2kZAY50