Headers at the World Cup
Fri Jul 17 4:52 pm
We look at a new soccer study that says "header" goals are becoming less frequent -- but more accurate -- in FIFA World Cup tournaments.
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Sports Headlines
Argentina and Spain brace for world cup glory—or heartbreak
Fri Jul 17 4:44 pm
From Buenos Aires to Barcelona, fans are dreaming, waiting and wondering: who will lift the World Cup on Sunday?
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Spain could make World Cup history: The first to win men's and women's trophies back-to-back
Fri Jul 17 4:17 pm
The Spanish Men's National Team will face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final. The country's women's team lifted its first World Cup trophy in 2023.
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Photos: When the World Cup came to town
Fri Jul 17 7:17 am
NPR member station photographers captured images of World Cup watch parties outside stadium gates, on street corners and in public parks and squares as the World Cup became, for a brief period, a part of local life.
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Kalshi says it's not a sportsbook even as World Cup bets surge
Fri Jul 17 5:00 am
The betting site Kalshi emerged as a dominant sports betting platform during the World Cup. But the company avoids billions of dollars in taxes by insisting it is not a sports gambling operator.
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As the World Cup comes to an end, MLS works to bring in a new generation of fans
Fri Jul 17 4:43 am
The 1994 World Cup is universally credited with sparking a boom of interest in soccer in the U.S., from youth leagues to televised games to the formation of MLS. The league and its teams say 2026 will be another boom -- the only question is, how to harness it?
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Why many soccer fans may root against Argentina in the World Cup final
Fri Jul 17 4:41 am
When Argentina take on Spain in Sunday's World Cup final, many will be rooting for Argentina to lose. How did they become the villain of the tournament? NPR's A Martinez asks sports writer Adam Elder.
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At the World Cup, has 'VAR' gone too far? Some fans say it's ruining the tournament
Fri Jul 17 4:00 am
During this World Cup, VAR, or video assistant referee, has become ubiquitous (and despised by many). But there was a time when fans and teams loved it. What went wrong?
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Roger Bennett previews 'organization vs. chaos' World Cup final
Thu Jul 16 4:14 pm
The stage is set for this Sunday's men's World Cup final. NPR's Scott Detrow previews the match-up between Spain and Argentina with Roger Bennett, founder and CEO of the Men in Blazers network.
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No Asian team managed to go far this World Cup (again). What's holding them back?
Thu Jul 16 5:00 am
For the sixth World Cup in a row, no team from the Asian Football Confederation made it past the first knockout round, winning only three games out of 29. Asian teams are competitive — up to a point.
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