International Soccer

Nov 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid received a higher technical score from FIFA than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico even though the Middle East nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.

2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia receives higher bid score than 2026 World Cup

FIFA released its bid evaluation report and said the 2034 bid received an overall average score of 4.2 out of 5 even though eight stadiums are still to be built.

FIFA is showing their appreciation for Messi on Thanksgiving.

Lionel Messi made headlines on Thanksgiving Day after making the nominee list for FIFA’s The Best Award, honoring the players with the best individual performances in the past year.

The 37-year-old made the list as the only player currently outside of Europe, with the rest of the nominees playing inside of Europe’s top-five leagues. Toni Kroos (who retired at the end of the 2024 European Championship) is the only exception.

Alyssa Naeher, one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in U.S. women's national team history, has announced her retirement from international soccer, ending a distinguished career that spanned over a decade.

Alyssa Naeher announces USWNT retirement; will play last two games against England and Netherlands

The legendary keeper announced her decision via social media, with the pair of upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands being her last ever caps for the USWNT.

Christian Pulisic received plenty of backlash for his Donald Trump dance celebration vs. Jamaica on Monday and has now been publicly called out by a USMNT great. The Tim Howard Pulisic takedown was posted to the Mail Sport on Thursday.

The United States men’s national team will face Panama in the semifinal of the Concacaf Nations League in March, avoiding the possibility of facing Canada or Mexico.

U.S. fans will be glad to see their team got the best outcome for the semifinals but must be wary not to celebrate too early. We all remember what happened in the Copa América group stage this summer when Panama stunned the USMNT 2-1.

Mexico and Canada will play in the other semifinal. Both games will be played at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, California.

Honduras have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors after Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was hit on the head by a can thrown from the stands following a Concacaf Nations League match last week.

Aguirre was left with blood seeping from a wound after being hit on the top of the head as he walked along the touchline to shake hands with counterpart Reinaldo Rueda after Friday's Nations League quarter-final first leg in San Pedro Sula.

NEW YORK — Women's soccer mogul Michele Kang will gift $30 million to U.S. Soccer, the sport's national governing body said on Tuesday, the largest donation ever directed for the organization's girls and women's programs.

The donation over the next five years will help grow competitive opportunities for girls and professional development for female players, as well as women in coaching and referee roles.

Michele Kang donation to U.S. Soccer 

World-renowned Chelsea forward and Australian international, Sam Kerr and U.S. women’s national team’s Kristie Mewis are set to become the newest parents in women’s soccer, with the pair announcing their pregancy in a heart-warming social media post.

Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis pregnancy announcement

The couple confirmed their new chapter through an Instagram post, sharing a photo-booth collage of Kerr holding up an ultrasound scan and pointing to Mewis’ bump. “Metis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” they wrote.

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre ended his side’s 2-0 defeat to Honduras on Friday with blood gushing from his head after being struck by a beer can.

The Honduras fans inside the Estadio Francisco Morazán took the “hostile environment” too far with disgraceful scenes at the full time whistle with objects being thrown on the field and at Aguirre.

Aguirre took a direct hit to the head and started bleeding heavily. Despite being hit, the 65-year-old hardly look bothered by the incident and continued to shake hands with the opposing players and coaches.

What a badass.