Soccer

Fans hold a banner reading

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

Pro-Palestine banner in soccer stands

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

Taking a shot on goal during a soccer game in Rafah

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

FIFA president Gianni Infantino at podium

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

Former Palestinian football player Said al-Kurd carries recovered medals from his destroyed family home where eight of his family members were killed following an Israeli shelling attack in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 30, 2023.

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

Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, and Irene Paredes of the spain women's soccer team pump fists in the air, celebrate after winning the 2023 women's world cup

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

Megan Rapinoe, right, reacts to the United States' loss to Sweden in the Women's World Cup soccer match in Melbourne, Australia, on August 6, 2023.

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

Members of Brazil's women's national team walk off the field after being knocked out of the 2023 tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on August 2, 2023.

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

fans posing with team USA player women's world cup 2023 new zealand

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

Megan Rapinoe Kneel

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

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