World Cup 2022 (Soccer)

Menendez Case Puts Focus on Qatar’s Push to Turn Wealth Into Influence

The tiny Gulf state has cultivated relationships with powerful people and institutions to raise its global profile, and to protect its interests.

Miami Embraces Lionel Messi With Murals, Marketing and Milanesas

Soccer-crazy South Florida has welcomed the world’s greatest player — now the region’s best-known celebrity — with murals, marketing and milanesas.

Ahead of Expo 2030 Bid, Rome Dreams of Reinvigoration

After years of decline, the city hopes to use a bid for the next world’s fair to re-envision itself as a place that works.

Investigators Clear Former U.S. Soccer Coach in 1992 Incident

An inquiry found no reason U.S. Soccer could not rehire Gregg Berhalter as coach of the men’s national team. But investigators criticized the parents of a player for their part in the controversy.

In World Cup Run-Up, Qatar Pressed U.N. Agency Not to Investigate Abuses

Lobbying at the International Labor Organization dovetailed with an influence campaign that sparked a corruption scandal at the European Parliament.