Israel’s Olympic Presence Helps Legitimize War Crimes Israel’s Olympic Presence Helps Legitimize War Crimes
Paraguay’s men’s soccer team defeated Israel—but Israel wins just by being allowed to compete.
Jul 29, 2024 / Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff
In Ireland, “Nothing but Love” for the Palestinian Women’s Soccer Team In Ireland, “Nothing but Love” for the Palestinian Women’s Soccer Team
The Palestinian National Women’s Football Team defeated the Bohemian Football Club 2-1 in front of a sell-out crowd in Dublin. It was much more than a win for Palestine.
May 24, 2024 / Dave Zirin
Palestinians Stand Up to Israel Through Soccer Palestinians Stand Up to Israel Through Soccer
The American Friends Service Committee staged a youth soccer tournament in Rafah, showcasing the joy that the sport can offer.
Apr 30, 2024 / Dave Zirin
Palestine Shows Up for FIFA. FIFA Turns Its Back on Palestine. Palestine Shows Up for FIFA. FIFA Turns Its Back on Palestine.
FIFA has chosen to say nothing while Israel massacres Palestinian soccer players, coaches, and sports officials.
Mar 18, 2024 / Dave Zirin
Will the IOC Do Anything About the Killing of Palestinian Athletes? Will the IOC Do Anything About the Killing of Palestinian Athletes?
Israel killed a Palestinian Olympic coach in an air strike. It turned a stadium into an interment camp. But the International Olympic Committee will not act unless we make it.
Jan 10, 2024 / Dave Zirin
A Soccer Triumph—Despite the Toxic Men A Soccer Triumph—Despite the Toxic Men
The leaders of Spain’s soccer world possess “sexism matched only by their greed.”
Aug 23, 2023 / Dave Zirin
Why the Right Wanted the USWNT to Lose Why the Right Wanted the USWNT to Lose
Conservatives want everything Megan Rapinoe represents—feminism, queerness, anti-racism, reproductive choice, women's strength—to wither away.
Aug 10, 2023 / Dave Zirin
Brazil Is Soccer’s Holy Land—Unless You’re a Woman Brazil Is Soccer’s Holy Land—Unless You’re a Woman
The women’s national team has never won a World Cup—thanks in part to a decades-long legacy of sexist exclusion from the game that's only starting to wane now.
Aug 2, 2023 / Mara Marques Cavallaro
Carli Lloyd’s Attacks on the USWNT Are Personal—and Political Carli Lloyd’s Attacks on the USWNT Are Personal—and Political
The US Women’s National Team has always carried a double burden: They need to be the best, and they need to be global soccer icons.
Aug 1, 2023 / Dave Zirin
The Megan Rapinoe Era Only Ends When We Stop Fighting Back The Megan Rapinoe Era Only Ends When We Stop Fighting Back
The most important soccer player of her generation is saying goodbye after the 2023 World Cup. But her legacy will persist as long as athletes stand up for those who can’t stand up...
Jul 10, 2023 / Dave Zirin