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

The World Cup Loses Its First Star

By BY RORY SMITH from NYT Sports Norway’s failure to qualify for Qatar means Erling Haaland will have to watch from home. Norway has taken it in its stride.https://nyti.ms/3nnmNYq

After Mexico Win, U.S. Falls Flat in Draw

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports Before a sparse Kingston crowd limited by pandemic regulations, the United States could not sustain the momentum from its victory against Mexico last week in front of raucous home fans.https://nyti.ms/3FeTwFA

U.S. Beats Mexico and Then Rubs It In

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie scored and the Americans, fueled by a perceived slight, reveled in their third win over their rival this year.https://nyti.ms/3Dgcye1

For Qatar, the World Cup’s Glamour Is the Payoff

By BY RORY SMITH from NYT Sports As the 2022 field starts to take shape, there is a sense that the host nation, after a decade of scrutiny and criticism, will at last get the return it expected.https://nyti.ms/3CaY8dK

U.S. Suffers First Defeat in World Cup Qualifying

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports A listless performance by a shuffled lineup in a defeat at Panama cost the Americans some valuable momentum.https://nyti.ms/30iHKLj

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

For U.S. Team, a Week to Forget and a Ticking Clock

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports Illnesses, injuries and a suspension marred the start of World Cup qualifying for a talented U.S. team. A trip to Honduras offered a chance to right the ship.https://nyti.ms/3yQczm5

For U.S. Men, Two Games and No Wins Add Up to Concern

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports After settling for disappointing draws in its first two World Cup qualifiers, the U.S. heads to Honduras in search of answers, and its first victory.https://nyti.ms/3yP0SMv

Brazil-Argentina Match Stopped After Health Officials Storm Field

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports After a disagreement about quarantine rules, a high-profile match was interrupted in the first half amid threats to deport four Argentine players.https://nyti.ms/3jIW1rQ

United States Ties El Salvador to Open World Cup Qualifying

By BY ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports As a youthful American team took its first step toward the 2022 World Cup, it rued a few missed opportunities.https://nyti.ms/38zfl4q

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

Premier League Won’t Release Some Players for September World Cup Qualifiers

By BY ANDREW DAS AND TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports The decision sets up a confrontation with FIFA, which can order the players’ release. Spain’s league said it would support any of its teams that followed suit.https://nyti.ms/3jdWuBV

Premier League Says It Won’t Release Players for World Cup Qualifiers

By BY ANDREW DAS AND TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports The decision sets up a confrontation with FIFA, which can order the players’ release, and could affect the strength of dozens of national teams.https://nyti.ms/3jfeHiM

Don’t Like FIFA’s Schedule? Go Ahead and Appeal. To FIFA.

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports A dispute about World Cup qualifying games has highlighted the power soccer’s governing body holds over clubs, and how little recourse they have.https://nyti.ms/3y8KAgV

Cuba Is Stocking Up on Overseas Players. What’s the Goal?

By BY JON ARNOLD from NYT Sports Cuba’s soccer team has called up a handful of players who developed outside the country’s sports system for its World Cup qualifying matches, a subtle but potentially significant shift in policy.https://nyti.ms/3f4hREh

Russia’s Doping Ban Is Halved by Court of Arbitration for Sport

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports The ruling reduced a four-year ban to two, but will keep Russian teams out of the next two Olympics and dozens of other global competitions.https://nyti.ms/3gUPjfj

The Game Was on TV. The Beer Was on Ice. So Why Were Fans Uneasy?

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports A global soccer championship has been a crucial test of Qatar’s tolerance for thousands of visiting fans accustomed to mixing matches with alcohol.https://nyti.ms/2rjBJgc

Welcome to Qatar’s Falcon Hospital. Please Take a Number.

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports In a corner of Doha’s old city, a state-of-the-art facility offers scans, surgeries and a link to a centuries-old pastime. Members of the royal family get to cut the line.https://nyti.ms/2Z1INdy