Sports

FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 file photo, former Spanish soccer international Carles Puyol arrives at the 2018 soccer World Cup draw in the Kremlin in Moscow. The former captain of Spain's national soccer team, Carles Puyol, is claiming that Iranian TV officials barred him from appearing as a World Cup commentator because of his long hair. Iranian officials have denied the claim. The report on Saturday, June 23, 2018 by Jam-e Jam newspaper's TV affiliate quotes government TV official Morteza Mirbagheri as saying the issue was about money not hair. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, file)

Ex-soccer star says Iran officials barred him from programThe former captain of Spain's national soccer team, Carles Puyol, is claiming that Iranian TV officials barred him from appearing as a World Cup commentator because of his long hair

The Associated Press15 minutes ago

A couple of fans watch a World Cup soccer match between Serbia and Switzerland on television at a sports bar, Friday morning, June 22, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Iceland, Mexico, England vie for US World Cup supportWith no American team at the World Cup, Iceland's prime minister vies for US support, Landon Donovan pushes for Mexico and James Corden for England

The Associated Press32 minutes ago

South Korean national soccer team players run during a training session of South Korea at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Spartak Stadium in Lomonosov near St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Germany on the ropes as it faces Sweden in World CupWorld Cup champion Germany is on the ropes after dropping its opening match to Mexico and next faces Sweden

The Associated Press43 minutes ago

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku warms up during Belgium's official training ahead of the group G match between Belgium and Tunisia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The Latest: Belgium takes unchanged lineup into Tunisia gameRomelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard again lead the attack in an unchanged Belgium lineup for the World Cup game against Tunisia

The Associated Press46 minutes ago

Chechnya leader grants Salah honorary citizenshipChechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov has granted honorary citizenship to striker Mohamed Salah at a banquet held to say goodbye to Egypt's World Cup squad

The Associated Press1 hour ago

England head coach Gareth Southgate attends England's official training in Zelenogorsk near St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 23, 2018 on the eve of the group G match between Panama and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Alli back at practice, still in doubt for England vs PanamaDele Alli has returned to practice with England but carried out individual drills away from the main group, keeping him in doubt for the match against Panama at the World Cup

The Associated Press1 hour ago

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 file photo, Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts talks to the crowd during the Cubs' annual convention, in Chicago. The Ricketts family that owns the Chicago Cubs says it is negotiating to purchase the debt-ridden AC Milan soccer team. The Milan office of the Edelman public relations firm, which has been hired to represent the Ricketts, says the entire family is interested in Milan for "a medium- to long-period investment" and wants to create "a strong bond with the city." (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago Cubs owners in talks to purchase AC MilanThe Ricketts family that owns the Chicago Cubs says it is in negotiations to purchase the debt-ridden AC Milan soccer team

The Associated Press1 hour ago

Brazil head coach Tite sits on the bench before the group E match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Brazil in control of own destiny as Tite's boldness pays offThe dramatic finish in Brazil's 2-0 win over Costa Rica was instructive in showing the thinking of Tite and the plans the coach may have for his team going forward in this World Cup

The Associated Press1 hour ago