The former president of Spain's soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, passes a police van as he leaves a court appearance in Madrid on Friday. Manu Fernandez/AP hide caption
FIFA World Cup 2023 NPR's coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer tournament in New Zealand and Australia
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FIFA World Cup 2023
Spain soccer federation President Luis Rubiales speaks during a news conference in Nyon, Switzerland, on Oct. 5, 2022. Gabriel Monnet/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Jorge Vilda stands during the Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match between Sweden and Spain in Auckland, New Zealand, on Aug. 15. Spain's soccer federation announced Vilda's dismissal as coach of the women's national team on Tuesday. Alessandra Tarantino/AP hide caption
Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales refused on Friday to resign his post. Amr Nabil/AP hide caption
Women's World Cup champs say they won't play for Spain until soccer chief is removed
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the head of the Spanish soccer federation, Luis Rubiales. Rubiales is seen here at a reception for the Spanish team on Tuesday in Madrid, after Spain won the Women's World Cup on Sunday. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images hide caption
Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales is being criticized for kissing Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the medal ceremony following Spain's victory in the final of the Women's World Cup on Sunday in Sydney. Noe Llamas/SPP/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect hide caption
Spain's Olga Carmona points to the message she had written on her undershirt to honor the death of one of her best friend's mother after scoring what would be the only goal in the match against England on Sunday. Carmona later learned that her father had died before the final match. William West/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Jill Roord of Netherlands knocks in a header to score on South Africa in the round of 16. The Dutch now face Spain. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images hide caption
England forward Lauren James steps on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie during their match in Brisbane, Australia, earning a red card. Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
U.S. players react following their loss to Sweden in a penalty shootout during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Scott Barbour/AP hide caption
Sweden's forward #08 Lina Hurtig (center) and teammates celebrate their win following a penalty kick shootout over two-time defending champion U.S. at the Women's World Cup. It was the U.S.'s earliest exit from the tournament. William West/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Japanese midfielder Hinata Miyazawa, center, celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during its match against Spain earlier this week. Japan is one of three teams to win all its games in the group stage. Marty Melville/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Who's in, who's out and storylines to watch in the Women's World Cup round of 16
Brazil forward Marta waves after the World Cup match against Jamaica in Melbourne on Wednesday. William West/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
USA forward Sophia Smith (R) fights for the ball with Portugal midfielder Dolores Silva during the 2023 Women's World Cup match in Auckland, New Zealand on August 1, 2023. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Members of the U.S. Women's National Team celebrate their game-tying goal against the Netherlands at the Women's World Cup on July 27 in Wellington, New Zealand. Buda Mendes/Getty Images hide caption
Lindsey Horan of USA celebrates after scoring her team's only goal against the Netherlands at the 2023 Women's World Cup group match on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images hide caption
United States players celebrate after Sophia Smith (11) scored their first goal of the Women's World Cup against Vietnam on July 22, 2023. Referees have been adding plenty of extra time due to injuries, substitutions and goal celebrations. Abbie Parr/AP hide caption
Players with Team USA attend a training session at the Bay City Park in Auckland, New Zealand, ahead of their World Cup match against the Netherlands. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
South Korea's Casey Phair (left) and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball during a Women's World Cup Group H soccer match at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday. Rick Rycroft/AP hide caption
Betina Petit-Frere of Haiti controls the ball against Alessia Russo of England during the teams' opening game at the Women's World Cup in Brisbane, Australia on July 22, 2023. Haiti is one of eight newcomers at the tournament this year. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images hide caption
USA's forward Sophia Smith (#11) celebrates scoring her second goal during the 2023 Women's World Cup match between the United States and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on July 22, 2023. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Marta and the Brazilian women's soccer team walk around the field greeting fans after a friendly match against Chile ahead of the World Cup, in Brasília, Brazil, on July 2. María Magdalena Arréllaga for NPR hide caption