World Cup
The U.S. Soccer Federation Claims the Women's Team Actually Earns More Than the Men's Team, Prompting Backlash
Both the men's and women's national teams have disputed the USSF's claims.
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Is the Best in the World and Still Can't Get Equal Pay
The United States Soccer Federation has argued the women generate less revenue—a claim that is not supported by the current evidence.
Why Did 2018 Feel So Long?
The Trump presidency feels built to wear people down.
Our Best Economics Stories of 2018
The most important reads from our coverage of unions, driverless tech, urban gentrification, and more.
Viewfinder: Croatia Beat England to Advance to Its First-Ever World Cup Final
Croatian football players celebrate after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final against England.
How Corruption Has Dampened Brazilian Affection for the World Cup
Brazilians have become increasingly disenchanted with soccer as political scandals continue to cloud the country's news cycle.
Viewfinder: Lionel Messi Shoots and Scores as Argentina Advances in the World Cup
Argentina beat Nigeria 2–1 in their final qualifying game at the 2018 World Cup.
Is There Any Real Economic Benefit to Hosting a World Cup?
We spoke with four economists about Russia's claims of a World Cup-related financial windfall. They were all skeptical.
Viewfinder: Elephants Celebrate the World Cup in Thailand
Elephants participate in a football game to kick off the World Cup fever as part of an anti-gambling campaign at the ancient Thai city of Ayutthaya on June 13th, 2018.
Viewfinder: The 2018 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Moscow
A dancer looks on during the opening ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on June 14th, 2018, in Moscow, Russia.
The Future of Work: 19th-Century Brutality, in the 21st Century
The latest entry in a special project in which business and labor leaders, social scientists, technology visionaries, activists, and journalists weigh in on the most consequential changes in the workplace.
This Week in Sports Stadium Malfeasance
A round-up of news and research on stadium spending gone wrong.
World Cup Fever
For many, the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games represent missed opportunities to tackle health problems and inequality.
The History of Dutch Soccer and Not Playing to Win
The most famous teams from the Netherlands were glorious failures—at least to outsiders. In a nation that often prized an ideal over tangible results, some might have to come to terms with a new team that's two games away from the country's first World Cup title.
Why Germany Wants to Look Like Its Soccer Team
In a country where immigrants haven't always been welcome, politicians champion Die Mannschaft as an integrated model of diversity.
The Calm, Steady, Reliable Greece
Sometimes a national team looks nothing like the country it represents.
How Does Immigration Affect the Teams at the World Cup?
The number of immigrants in a country doesn't seem to have an effect on how diverse its national team is. If anything, it appears that ethnic and racial minorities get pushed toward soccer.
How Italian Will Italy Be After the World Cup?
The idea of Italian identity has always been a weak one, and the brief, oncer-every-four-years flirtation with the national team just brings those issues into sharper focus.
How Soccer Came to Define Brazil
The massive, multicultural, multiracial nation initially struggled to find a uniting identity—until everyone started playing and watching the sport brought over by the British.
The 2014 World Cup Will Be The Biggest Media Event Ever
This post recognizes it is adding to the noise—but remains hopeful that it also says something valuable about the future of media coverage.
Why This Is the Most Important World Cup Ever for MLS
Most domestic American players don't make that much money, but with new collective bargaining negotiations coming up, a good performance from the U.S. National Team could help to change that.
The Most Political Matches in World Cup History
A rumored death threat from Mussolini, what was ostensibly an on-field boxing match, and an egregious handball doubling as payback for the Falklands War.
Will Soccer Ever Be as Big as Football in the United States?
As soccer picks up fans and followers in the U.S., entrepreneurs are betting that they’ll be able to make a lot of money off of a sport that’s already enormously popular elsewhere. Will their bets pay off?