Tag: Soccer

Key Match-Ups in World Cup Final Between Argentina and France

DOHA—Argentina and France meet in Sunday’s World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Both countries are bidding for their third title with the French having the chance to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962. Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result: Kylian…


‘We Want Answers’: Family of Security Guard Who Died at World Cup Stadium

NAIROBI—The family of a security guard who died while on duty at the World Cup’s Lusail Stadium in Qatar are seeking answers and hope to receive help to return the body of the 24-year-old to his homeland, Kenya, they said on Wednesday. John Njau Kibue suffered a serious fall on Dec. 10, tournament organizers the…


Morocco and Croatia Play for 3rd Place at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar—To some, it’s little more than a meaningless exhibition match. To others, it’s a chance to become “immortal.” The third-place playoff at the World Cup can be a confusing concept. “You are so disappointed, you’ve just lost a semifinal and then two days later you have to go back out there,” Morocco coach Walid…


World Soccer Union ‘Shocked’ to Learn Iranian Player at Risk of Execution for Involvement in Protests

An Iranian professional soccer player is at risk of being sentenced to death for his involvement in a protest that erupted in the country about three months ago after a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman died while in custody, according to multiple reports. The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), which is the global union for soccer…


World Soccer Union ‘Shocked’ to Learn Iranian Player at Risk of Execution for Protest Involvement

A global soccer players’ union says it’s “shocked and sickened” by reports that an Iranian professional soccer player is at risk of being executed for his involvement in anti-government protests. The organization, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), said on Twitter that it’s “shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran…


France Reaches World Cup Finals, Defeats Morocco 2–0

France’s soccer team ended Morocco’s World Cup run 2–0 in the last semi-final on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the packed 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. The goals came off of deflected shots from Frenchman forward Kylian Mbappe—leading to goals from Theo Hernández in the fifth minute and Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th. France’s team,…


Mbappe, France Advance to World Cup Final, Beat Morocco 2–0

AL KHOR, Qatar—France and Kylian Mbappé are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco’s historic run at soccer’s biggest tournament. France beat Africa’s first ever semifinalist 2–0 Wednesday, with Mbappé playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and then substitute…


US Journalist Covering FIFA World Cup Died From Rupture of Aortic Aneurysm, Wife Says

American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who collapsed and died while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and Netherlands in Qatar last weekend, died of a ruptured blood vessel, according to autopsy results. The autopsy, conducted by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, shows that Wahl died from the rupture “of a slowly growing,…


Messi Confirms Qatar Final Will Be His Last World Cup Game

Lionel Messi has confirmed he will play his last World Cup game when Argentina take on France or Morocco in Sunday’s final in Qatar. Messi leads Argentina to a 3–0 win over Croatia in their semi-final on Tuesday and will earn his 172nd cap at the weekend when he tries to bring the country its…


Spanish Court Acquits Soccer Star Neymar in Fraud Trial

BARCELONA, Spain—A Spanish court on Tuesday acquitted soccer star Neymar and his fellow defendants in a fraud and corruption trial related to the Brazilian’s 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona. Brazilian company DIS had accused Neymar, his father, and the former presidents of Santos and Barcelona of having intentionally hidden the cost of his transfer…