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How the U.S. men’s soccer team got its shot at glory — and then lost it all during the 1998 World Cup

Jun 15, 2018
The 12-part series “American Fiasco” looks at how it all went wrong.
Mehrdad Minavand of Iran in action during the 1998 World Cup first round match against the USA at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, France. Iran won the match 2-1.
Stu Forster/Allsport

A battle for World Cup supremacy happens off the pitch

Jun 14, 2018
Every four years, the soccer tournament turns into an epic branding battle between Nike and Adidas.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images

FIFA gets countries to bend laws all the time. Why nothing on LGBT laws in Russia?

Jun 1, 2018
FIFA and Russia lay down the law, but corporate sponsors have influence too.
Fans fly the rainbow flag before the game between New York City and Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Harry How/Getty Images

FIFA corruption report has scandals but no disqualification

Jun 28, 2017
FIFA released a 2014 report looking at ethics violations in the World Cup host nation selection process for 2018 and 2022.
A FIFA suitcase.
Christof Koepsel/Getty

UnAmerican Football

Jun 16, 2016
They said it couldn't be done: Soccer makes it in America. Actuality can't turn on the TV without seeing a soccer game — what gives? We talk with U.S. players Crystal Dunn and Matt Besler to figure out how global football became a media cash cow in America.
 U.S. women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe poses for a portrait on November 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

 
Harry How/Getty Images

How FIFA can keep making billions off soccer

Feb 26, 2016
The organization in charge of running the World Cup has made some big changes in an effort to getting back into its member nations' good graces.
Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time as FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and German Chancellor Angela Merkel look on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Martin Rose/Getty Images

Freshly re-elected Sepp Blatter leaves FIFA

Jun 2, 2015
Sepp Blatter is taking a permanent timeout from FIFA.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter holds a press conference at the headquarters of the world's football governing body in Zurich on Tuesday. Blatter resigned as president of FIFA as a mounting corruption scandal engulfed world football's governing body. 
VALERIANO DI DOMENICO/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Will sponsors bail on the World Cup?

May 29, 2015
Advertisers consider their investments and responses amid FIFA corruption charges.

FIFA officials charged with corruption

May 27, 2015
Several officials were arrested early Wednesday morning in Switzerland.

Why you might seeing English subtitles on Spanish-lanuguage TV ads

Jul 11, 2014
Some advertisers are using the World Cup to experiment with bilingual ads on English networks.