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Friday

2018 World Cup Draw Is Complete, With No Obvious 'Group Of Death'

Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona was one of several stars who took part in Friday's draw for the 2018 World Cup. The widely watched draw was held at the Kremlin in Moscow. Dmitri Lovetsky/AP hide caption

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Dmitri Lovetsky/AP

The Two-Way

2018 World Cup Draw Is Complete, With No Obvious 'Group Of Death'

Spain will play Portugal, France will play Peru, and Brazil will play Switzerland — but the draw for the Russian-hosted tournament lacks an obviously imposing group.

Tuesday

Powerhouse Italy Copes With The 'Indelible Stain' Of Missing The World Cup

Italian national team players slump in dejection at the end of their World Cup qualifying match against Sweden on Monday. The 0-0 draw killed the four-time world champions' hopes of a spot in the 2018 tournament. Luca Bruno/AP hide caption

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Luca Bruno/AP

The Two-Way

Powerhouse Italy Copes With The 'Indelible Stain' Of Missing The World Cup

Slide over, Americans: You've got company on the sidelines of the 2018 World Cup. A draw with Sweden denied the four-time world champs a bid, leaving Italians to grapple with "the apocalypse."

Monday

U.S., Canada And Mexico Declare Combined Bid To Host The World Cup

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati (center), Canadian CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani (left) and Mexican Football Federation President Decio De Maria present their unified bid for the 2026 World Cup at a news conference in New York City on Monday. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S., Canada And Mexico Declare Combined Bid To Host The World Cup

With their powers combined, the three countries aim to return the World Cup to North America in 2026. Under the proposal the U.S. would host 60 matches, with 10 apiece hosted by Canada and Mexico.

Friday

U.S. Women Bumped From Top Spot In FIFA World Rankings

United States midfielder Carli Lloyd (center) moves the ball upfield against England during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup match on March 4 in Harrison, N.J. England won the match, 1-0. Julio Cortez/AP hide caption

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Julio Cortez/AP

The Two-Way

U.S. Women Bumped From Top Spot In FIFA World Rankings

The U.S. is now No. 2, behind Germany and ahead of France, England and Canada. The American squad has been ranked in the top two spots since FIFA created the world rankings for women back in 2003.

Wednesday

U.S. Men's Soccer Goes Back To The Future With New Coach, New Priorities

U.S. men's national soccer team coach Bruce Arena watches his team during a practice session on Jan. 11, in Carson, Calif. Arena returned to the U.S. team in November to salvage its run for World Cup qualification. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption

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Jae C. Hong/AP

U.S. Men's Soccer Goes Back To The Future With New Coach, New Priorities

For the first time in decades, the struggling U.S. team may not qualify for next year's World Cup. But the return of Bruce Arena, who led the team to two World Cups, brings hopes of a turnaround.

U.S. Men's Soccer Goes Back To The Future With New Coach, New Priorities

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Friday

Thursday

Maracanã, Jewel Of Rio's Olympics, Now Languishes In Disrepair

Maracanã Stadium's turf is dry, worn and filled with ruts and holes. Those soccer clubs that call the stadium home plan to meet and discuss how to bring Maracanã up to game-worthy shape. The question is, who will pay for the repairs? Nacho Doce/Reuters hide caption

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Nacho Doce/Reuters

The Two-Way

Maracanã, Jewel Of Rio's Olympics, Now Languishes In Disrepair

The iconic stadium has hosted decades of Brazil's most important sporting events. Now, abandonment and looting have left it an eyesore — and no one is accepting all the blame.

Tuesday

Tuesday

U.S. Soccer Reaches Back To The Past To Kickstart Its Future

Bruce Arena has been rehired to coach the U.S. Men's Soccer Team. He's previously coached the team from 1998-2006 where he posted a record of 71 wins, 30 losses and 29 draws. Alex Gallardo/AP hide caption

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Alex Gallardo/AP

The Two-Way

U.S. Soccer Reaches Back To The Past To Kickstart Its Future

Bruce Arena is named the coach of the U.S. Men's Soccer team a decade after he was fired from the post. Arena replaces former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was let go on Monday.

Friday

Tuesday

World Cup Qualifying: U.S. Men's Soccer Team — And Its Coach — Get Much-Needed Win

United States players celebrate a goal against Guatemala during the second half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio. The United States beat Guatemala 4-0. Jay LaPrete/AP hide caption

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Jay LaPrete/AP

The Two-Way

World Cup Qualifying: U.S. Men's Soccer Team — And Its Coach — Get Much-Needed Win

Coach Jürgen Klinsmann's squad beat Guatemala 4-0 to advance to the next round of qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup. The win also may quell calls for Klinsmann to be fired.

Monday

In Vast FIFA Scandal, Ex-President Of Honduras Pleads Guilty To Taking Bribes

Former Honduran President Rafael Callejas leaves federal court in New York City on Monday after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges in a wide-ranging FIFA soccer scandal. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

The Two-Way

In Vast FIFA Scandal, Ex-President Of Honduras Pleads Guilty To Taking Bribes

In federal court in New York City, Rafael Callejas admitted to taking bribes over lucrative broadcast rights. He was head of the Honduran soccer federation from 2002 to 2015.

Wednesday

FIFA Says It Was Victim To Its Leaders, Asks For Millions In Restitution

A soccer ball covered with flags is painted on a wall in the township of Khayelitsha, South Africa. The image of South Africa's 2010 World Cup has been shattered by allegations that its bid over a decade ago was boosted by bribes of more than $10 million to secure FIFA votes — allegations FIFA addressed in Wednesday's request for restitution. Schalk van Zuydam/AP hide caption

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Schalk van Zuydam/AP

The Two-Way

FIFA Says It Was Victim To Its Leaders, Asks For Millions In Restitution

The top soccer organization argues that a group of leaders facing trial in the U.S. has cost it millions in financial losses and damage to its reputation.

Monday

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Cancels Game Over Poor Field Conditions

Abby Wambach of the U.S. women's national soccer team (right) stands with teammates during a practice in October. The team canceled a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday because of the poor state of the artificial turf. Elaine Thompson/AP hide caption

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Elaine Thompson/AP

The Two-Way

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Cancels Game Over Poor Field Conditions

For the World Cup winners, the cancellation is the latest in a series of events that highlight disparities between men's and women's soccer in the U.S.

Tuesday