Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has finally got his hands on a big global player award.

Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday.

Max Verstappen won big in Las Vegas with his fourth world title but the fight for Formula 1’s biggest cash prize is hotting up this week in Qatar.

Qatar says it has suspended its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel.

In two months' time FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has ended his latest visit to the Middle East without securing a cease-fire in Gaza.

The White House says talks aimed at halting the Israel-Hamas war have resumed in Doha and are expected to run into Friday.

Saudi Arabia has detailed a massive stadium building project to host the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer.

The Taliban’s morality police are contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans.

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the face of this year’s Copa America.

Hamas says it has given Qatari and Egyptian mediators its reply to the U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, seeking some “amendments” on the deal.

Kuwait’s ruling emir has named the small nation’s new crown prince, nearly six months after he took the throne.

Twelve people have been injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin hit turbulence.

Hamas says the latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks has ended in Cairo.

The White House says U.S. President Joe Biden has again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A fan at the Saudi Super Cup final lashed an Al-Ittihad player with a whip during a confrontation moments after the match Thursday night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, calling it a “terror channel” that spreads incitement, after parliament passed a law clearing the way for the closure.

A star South Korean soccer player who was detained and investigated in China for nearly a year over bribery allegations has been released and returned home.

Saudi Arabia has launched its formal bid campaign to host the 2034 World Cup, in a race that basically became a formality last October when the oil-rich kingdom was the only candidate to enter the contest.

Only four pandas remain in the United States.

Takeaways from a history-making 2024 World Swimming Championships as the Paris Olympic Games near.

More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the five-month Israel-Hamas war.

American swimmer Hunter Armstrong helped himself to two more medals on the closing day of the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar.

Key mediator Qatar says talks on a potential cease-fire deal in Gaza “have not been progressing as expected” in the past few days.

Marrit Steenbergen and Tes Schouten made it a golden night for the Netherlands at the World Aquatics Championships.

The United States held off Hungary 8-7 to capture the women’s water polo title for the fifth time in the last six championships and eighth time overall.

It was a night for teenagers to shine at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

With some of America’s biggest stars deciding to stay home, Claire Curzan and Hunter Armstrong have claimed the spotlight at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Akram Afif scored a hat trick of penalties to secure back-to-back Asian Cup titles for Qatar in a 3-1 win against Jordan The forward struck once in the first half of the final and then twice after the break at Lusail Stadium to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals.

Chang Yani has topped teammate Chen Yiwen in the 3-meter springboard, giving the powerhouse Chinese team its eighth diving gold medal of the World Aquatics Championships.

China has added to its gold medal haul with two more victories at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

With its sights on the Paris Olympics, China is turning in another dominant diving performance on the world stage.

Reigning Olympic champion Quan Hongchan has given herself a huge boost of momentum heading into the Paris Games.

With China sitting out the first two diving events, other nations got a chance to shine on Day 1 of the World Aquatics Championships.

Officials say that two U.S.-flagged ships carrying cargo for the Defense and State departments have come under attack off Yemen.

Qatar says it's appalled by leaked remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he criticized the country’s mediation efforts with Hamas.

The British navy says two of its warships have collided in a harbor in Bahrain, causing damage but no injuries.

Chants of “free, free Palestine” rang out again during the Palestinian soccer team’s game against United Arab Emirates at the Asian Cup.

A moment of silence was observed and then shouts of “free Palestine” rang out ahead of the Asian Cup game between Iran and the Palestinian soccer team.

Sotheby’s is set to auction off six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s winning run at last year’s soccer World Cup in Qatar.

The gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel over two weeks ago.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker is stepping down after 27 years at the helm of the company.

A top Chinese envoy says that China and Russia share the same position on the Palestinian issue and plan to try to work together to cool the situation and help establish a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

Formula One’s governing body is reviewing a penalty given to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for crossing the track after climbing out of his car following a first-lap collision at last Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Formula One drivers will have to change tires at least every 18 laps in the Qatar Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen has secured the Formula One title for the third year in a row in a season of near-total domination for the Red Bull driver.

Americans held for years in Iranian custody walked arm-in-arm off a plane into freedom.

Iran has identified the five prisoners it hopes to see freed in the United States in exchange for five Iranian-Americans now held in Tehran and billions in assets once held by South Korea.

The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money in South Korea without fear of U.S. sanctions.

The anti-discrimination “One Love” captain’s armband denied to teams at the men’s World Cup in Qatar will be worn at the Women’s World Cup next month in an amended version now approved by soccer authorities.

Budweiser will still be the official World Cup beer through the 2026 tournament in the United States.

The PGA Tour's merger with rival LIV Golf has reignited a debate over sportswashing and drawn critics ranging from current professional golfers to the families of Sept. 11 victims.

The Arab League has agreed to reinstate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension.

The satellite news network Al Jazeera says that a correspondent for one of its channels held in Egypt since 2019 has been released after nearly four years in pre-trial detention.

Dani Alves has testified in court and told the judge investigating a sexual assault accusation against him that he had consensual sex with the alleged victim.

After meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria’s political fate, a group of regional leaders promised to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Qatar says it has sent 4,000 cabins built to house fans at last year’s World Cup to earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria.

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

A Swedish think tank says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that led to a substantial flow of military aid to Kyiv made Ukraine the world’s third largest importer of arms in 2022.

Research by players' union FIFPRO claims most players from last year's World Cup do not want the tournament to be held again in November and December.

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been racially abused on social media after voting for Lionel Messi and Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has accused FIFA of disrespect in fallout from the soccer body’s annual awards ceremony.

Testimony from a former ESPN executive is underscoring the high stakes and corruption that has enveloped the world of soccer.

A Spanish court has denied Dani Alves’ appeal to be freed on bail while the investigation of a sexual assault accusation against the Brazilian soccer player continues.

It has been a week to remember for Manchester United.

The sale of Manchester United is set to test European rules designed to protect soccer’s integrity from the risks of owners controlling multiple clubs.

Qatar plans to send 10,000 cabins and caravans from last year’s World Cup to provide shelter for survivors of the Turkish earthquakes.

U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart is leaving to join PSV Eindhoven following the departure of American general manager Brian McBride.

The El País newspaper says the woman who accused Dani Alves of sexual assault at a nightclub last year will not seek financial compensation from the Brazil soccer player.

The major political group embroiled in a massive European Union corruption scandal will seek this week to insulate itself from further fallout in the cash-for-influence affair linked to Qatar and Morocco.

Without question, 2022 will forever go down as a memorable one in the sports world with all that was achieved by athletes and teams around the world.

The minister of higher education in the Taliban government has broken his silence over his decision to ban women from universities.

Argentina’s dramatic World Cup final victory over France is the second most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States.

While there is still much to be sorted out logistically for the event, here is what we know at the moment about World Cup 2026.

The six-goal final between France and Argentina set a World Cup record of 172 at this year’s tournament.

A diplomatic delegation from the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup were in Qatar for a handover ceremony ahead of the final between France and Argentina.

Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé head the selections for the team of the tournament as chosen by writers covering the World Cup for The Associated Press.

Morocco’s fans in the Arab world are taking the North African team’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in the World Cup third-place playoff philosophically.

Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup.

Argentina arguably has the World Cup’s most fervent fans.

FIFA has described this World Cup as the best ever.

FIFA expects to earn $11 billion through 2026 with a 48-team men’s World Cup in North America set to deliver a huge rise in revenue.

Kylian Mbappe has attended to a fan who was apparently struck by a stray practice ball ahead of the World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco.

Argentina’s national carrier has scheduled two extra flights from Buenos Aires to Qatar to take soccer fans to the World Cup final.

Grant Wahl died of a ruptured blood vessel when he was stricken while covering a World Cup match last weekend, according to an autopsy of the well-known American soccer writer.

Luka Modric pulled his shirt up over his face as he trudged over to the sideline.

The sensory rooms located at three World Cup stadiums in Qatar provide a calm and secure environment for children and young adults with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory access requirements.

Morocco has defied expectations and broken down barriers by becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup by beating England 2-1.

Ecstatic Moroccans have poured into the streets of their capital and other cities in the North African country to celebrate the national soccer team’s historic victory over Portugal at the World Cup.

The Netherlands remains without a World Cup title, losing to Argentina 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals.

Count on Croatia to make it through when it comes down to a penalty shootout at the World Cup.

Brazil soccer fans have been shocked into silence back home after the national team was eliminated by Croatia from the World Cup.

England coach Gareth Southgate has nothing to tell his players just before they leave the locker room to play France in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

The slippery hips of Luka Modric wriggled away from danger.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo did not threaten to leave Qatar after being dropped from the starting lineup to play Switzerland at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not ready to say goodbye to the World Cup just yet.

Raheem Sterling will rejoin England’s World Cup squad after a break-in at his home in the U.K. The Chelsea forward had left England’s camp in Qatar to be with his family, which meant he missed his country’s 3-0 win against Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday.

The United States men’s soccer team recedes into the background of American sports for the next 3 1/2 years.

The next World Cup will be the biggest ever after world soccer body FIFA took the leap from a 32-team field to 48 teams in 2026.