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  • Tariq Panja

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When Your Champions League Dream Runs Through a War Zone

Shakhtar Donetsk’s foreign stars fled Ukraine when Russia invaded. Now some are returning or signing up, proof that the lure of opportunity can trump fear.

Lionel Messi’s Bitter Divorce From P.S.G.

A missed practice, a Saudi vacation and a brief suspension brought a sudden end to a star’s transactional relationship with Paris St.-Germain, and Qatar.

FIFA Silenced One World Cup Protest but May Face More This Year

FIFA threatened to suspend men’s captains if they took part in a social justice campaign in Qatar. Will the same rules apply at the Women’s...

The Secret Behind Brighton, the Premier League’s Smartest Team

Brighton has risen into the top half of the league with smart signings, contingency plans and a spreadsheet that sees the future.

Chelsea’s Graham Potter Paid Price for Owners’ Spending Spree

American owners spent billions to buy the Premier League club and then millions more on players. But as Chelsea sinks in the standings, is the...

China’s Soccer Experiment Flopped. Now It May Be Over.

China poured billions into its bid to become a player in the world’s most popular sport. A decade later, it has little to show for...

Olympics Open Path for Russians to Qualify for Paris 2024

Dodging a contentious debate on participation, Olympic officials instead issued rules that could allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to earn places in next year’s...

Gianni Infantino Is Re-elected, Unopposed, as FIFA President

The Swiss administrator, a contentious figure in the soccer world, had no rivals for the position and was crowned for another four years by acclamation.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Knows How to Win

Infantino has all the support he needs to sweep to another term leading the world’s most popular sport. That is precisely the problem, critics of...

2026 World Cup Will Have Four-Team Groups and 24 More Games

FIFA is preparing to approve a change that will set the format for the largest and longest championship in soccer history.