Whatever happened to Japan's 2002 World Cup stars who formed the first wave to Europe?
With the retirement of Shinji Ono, only one member from Japan's star-studded 2002 World Cup squad remains active -- but whatever happened to them?
Araujo wants a World Cup win with Mexico 'family' (1:08)
One year on from the 2022 World Cup, has anything changed in Qatar?
Long after Messi's triumph, what is post-World Cup Qatar like? Is life better for migrant workers? Is there a sporting legacy? ESPN went back to see.
FIFA renews Qatar Airways deal for '26, '30 WCs
Qatar Airways has been renewed as the airline sponsor for the men's World Cup in 2026 in North America and the 2030 tournament expected to be in Europe, Africa and South America, FIFA said Wednesday.
Mbappe 'knew' Messi would win Ballon d'Or
France's Kylian Mbappé said he knew that Lionel Messi would win the Ballon d'Or after the Argentina forward led his country to glory at the 2022 World Cup.
Winter WC led to more severe injuries - study
The mid-season World Cup in Qatar last year led to players from Europe's top five leagues spending an average of eight days longer on the sidelines due to injury in the months after the tournament, a study has revealed.
Power, precision and $30K 'boots': Inside the Powerchair World Cup
France may have won the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair World Cup, but the real story was the unifying power of the sport that brings together athletes from all over the world.
Goals flow as Asia's top nations make winning start to World Cup qualifying
There were few surprises as Asia's dominant teams notched victories handedly in Thursday's World Cup qualifiers.
Graham Arnold ready to begin Australia's World Cup journey
Ahead of Australia's first qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup, Socceroos boss Graham Arnold sat down with ESPN for an exclusive interview.
Can Newcastle shock Arsenal? And who will win MLS MVP?
Can Arsenal stay unbeaten against a Newcastle side that's flying high, and with Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup, what is their end goal?
Ballon d'Or shake up as UEFA agrees new deal
Football's most prestigious individual prize, the Ballon d'Or, will be co-organised by UEFA from next year.
Will the World Cup ever be hosted outside Europe, North America or Asia again?
News that the 2034 World Cup would likely be hosted by Saudi Arabia made waves for expected reasons, but beyond that, there's a clear reason why FIFA has nowhere else to turn.
Saudi sole bidder to host 2034 WC, FIFA confirms
Saudi Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.
Messi reflects on 'special' World Cup after eighth Ballon d'Or win (0:53)
Man United legend Sir Bobby Charlton dies at 86
Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86, the Premier League club announced Saturday.
How VAR could have changed soccer's most controversial moments
Believe it or not, football had massive controversies before VAR existed. But how could the video referee have changed the path of the game on major incidents of the past?
Swinging 60s: Kane joins Messi, Ronaldo in exclusive international strikers club
England striker Harry Kane is now the 28th male player to reach 60 international goals and the 11th active player to do so. Here are the others.
Marching on: The 10 teams through to the next round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup
The first round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is done -- but who are the ten teams marching on?
Would the USMNT have made it to the 2002 World Cup final if VAR existed? (2:00)
Rating the most bizarre goalkeeper kits of the 1990s
Depending on your viewpoint, the 1990s was either the golden age or the nadir for goalkeeper kits. But the decade produced some unforgettable jerseys.
Singapore book dream ties with Son's South Korea in World Cup qualifiers
Singapore will get the chance to lock horns with Son Heung-min and South Korea in the next round of joint-qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup.
What if VAR had caught Henry's infamous handball vs. Ireland? (1:38)
Argentina's Alvarez shows there will be life after Messi; Brazil look tired
Julián Álvarez showed he can step into Argentina's spotlight when Lionel Messi isn't around, but Brazil looked tired in their draw.
McKennie: U.S. now expects to beat world's best
The U.S. men's national team are ready to show they can beat the world's top teams, midfielder Weston McKennie said on Wednesday, as they prepare to face Germany in a home friendly.
WC Table
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
| Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +7 | 7 |
| United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -5 | 1 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Poland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 6 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Denmark | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| Group E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 4 |
| Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 3 |
| Group F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| Croatia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +3 | 5 |
| Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
| Group G | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Serbia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| Group H | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |