FIFA World Cup - The Atlantic

FIFA World Cup

The Quintessential Trumpian Sport

April 7, 2026

An image of a soccer ball painted with President Trump’s face and an American flag on it in a glass case titled “Ball 47”

Time-Travel Thursdays

When Soccer Was an American Afterthought

February 29, 2024

Illustration of Pele, kicking a star instead of a soccer ball

Women’s Soccer Won the World Cup

August 20, 2023

The Spanish women's national team celebrates after winning the World Cup.

I’m Supporting Colombia Now

August 8, 2023

Colombia’s Linda Caicedo among four Jamaican players in a match at the Women's World Cup

The End of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Dominance

August 1, 2023

An American player chases a Portugese player at the Women's World Cup.

My Soccer Dreams Came True

July 27, 2023

A photo of soccer players celebrating after the 1991 World Cup.

The Atlantic Daily

The Women’s World Cup Is About More Than Soccer

July 23, 2023

Megan Rapinoe and the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2022 Women's World Cup

World Cup: The Great Game

The Qatar World Cup Is History

December 18, 2022

Teams and match officials line up prior to the December 18, 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France.

World Cup: The Great Game

Qatar Won

December 16, 2022

FIFA president Gianni Infantino talks with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a match.

The Joy of Morocco

December 16, 2022

Sofiane Boufal dances with his mother after Morocco's win against Portugal.

Another Way to Watch the World Cup

December 11, 2022

A drawing of a ballerina's upper body above a photo of a soccer player's legs.

World Cup: The Great Game

The Absurd Talent of Kylian Mbappé

December 10, 2022

Kylian Mbappé during the round of 16 match between France and Poland

World Cup: The Great Game

The Joy and Anguish of Argentine Soccer

December 3, 2022

Argentina fans cheer as their team plays Australia in Doha on December 3, 2022

World Cup: The Great Game

The Wizardry of South Korea’s Win

December 2, 2022

Hwang Hee-chan celebrates his team's victory

World Cup: The Great Game

The Tormented Soul of Iranian Soccer

November 29, 2022

An Iran fan holds a jersey in quiet protest at the November 25 World Cup match between Iran and Wales

World Cup: The Great Game

The Greatest Day in Arab Soccer?

Rabih Alameddine

November 23, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri celebrates scoring against Argentina

World Cup: The Great Game

A Kid’s-Eye View of the U.S. vs. ‘Whales’

November 22, 2022

Wales fans during the World Cup match between the U.S. and Wales

Ode to Not Watching the World Cup

November 19, 2022

A giant red X illustrated over a blurry photo of a soccer player

Radio Atlantic: For Love of the Game

Clint Smith, A.C. Valdez, and Claudine Ebeid

November 19, 2022

Writer Clint Smith, as a child, holding a soccer ball and grinning while wearing a jersey

The Atlantic Daily

Enjoying Soccer in Its Dark Age

November 17, 2022

A photo of people walking through metal gates toward a lit-up soccer stadium shaped like an elongated basket

World Cup: The Great Game

A Spectacle of Scoundrels

November 17, 2022

A Doha, Qatar, cityscape shows promotional displays for the 2022 World Cup.

The Fall of the Azzurri

March 25, 2022

Domenico Berardi kneels on a soccer pitch.

How U.S. Soccer Lost Its Hipster Cred

November 11, 2021

U.S. soccer fans

What the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Needs More Than Equal Pay

August 3, 2019

The Conversation

Qatar Responds: Don’t Cancel the 2022 World Cup

July 15, 2019

Cancel Qatar

July 7, 2019

One Question Hanging Over the World Cup Final

Robert O'Connell

July 5, 2019

The Infectious Idealism of the U.S. Women’s National Team

June 28, 2019

United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) controls the ball ahead of France defender Marion Torrent (4) in the first half of a quarterfinal match in the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019

They Gave America 13 Goals—And Got a Lecture in Return

June 13, 2019

Alex Morgan (<i>left</i>) and Megan Rapinoe celebrate a goal during the World Cup match on Tuesday.