Soccer | featured news

Brazilian police backed by armored military vehicles have invaded Rio de Janeiro’s biggest slum. Hundreds of black-clad, rifle-armed officers began swarming into the Rocinha shantytown early Sunday. Experts say it’s the most important step yet in bringing security to Rio de Janeiro before it hosts the final matches of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

David Beckham talks to BBC sport editor David Bond about his future in football, saying he is "flattered" by interest from a number of Premier League clubs as well as French side Paris Saint-Germain.

Orange County authorities have arrested a 44-year-old hockey mom on suspicion of having unlawful sex and committing lewd acts with members of her son's team, The Orange County Register reports. Investigators say they were initially tipped that Kathia Maria Davis, of Laguna Niguel, had thrown sleepover parties for the hockey team and had provided alcohol.

The U.K. soccer giant chose Singapore for its $1 billion IPO so it could have a dual-share structure—one with voting rights and one without—that enables its owners to effectively retain control of the team.

The Women's World Cup final between Japan and the United States set the record for tweets per second, eclipsing the wedding of Prince William and Kate and the death of Osama bin Laden.

Japan has won the Women's World Cup, stunning the United States 4-1 in a penalty shootout Sunday night after finishing in a 2-2 tie.

The U.S. women's soccer team advanced to the World Cup final by beating France 3-1 Wednesday on a rain-soaked field in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

If Americans don't fall in love with soccer after this, well, maybe they never will. Yes, the epic quarterfinal win by the U.S. women over Brazil featured nearly everything their countrymen hate about the "beautiful game."

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Sports calculations, the FIFA World Cup in 2014 is going to be a cash cow for the country. The nation’s economy is forecast to grow by at least $70 billion as a result of its hosting the World Cup, the Brazilian Ministry of Sports said July 6 in a statement. The figure is based on the country’s investments in private and public investment in infrastructure, heightened consumption, increased activity in the services sector and, of course, tax collection.

Pablo Barrera scored two goals and Mexico rallied to beat the United States for their second consecutive Gold Cup title.