GRAHAM DUNBAR

Sports reporter

Dunbar is an Associated Press sports news reporter in Geneva, Switzerland. He focuses on the governing bodies, institutions and politics of international sports.

Netflix signs US broadcast deal with FIFA for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031

Netflix has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as the streaming giant continues its push into live sports.

New knockout format for European soccer competitions debuts with Conference League playoffs draw

The new format in European club competitions took shape on Friday with the draw for knockout playoffs in the third-tier Conference League.

IOC publishes manifestos of 7 candidates running to be president and lead Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has published manifestos of the seven candidates running to be its next president. One contender offers to take just half of the eight-year mandate and stand again in 2029.

Women’s soccer world champion Spain drawn with Italy, Belgium and Portugal in Euro 2025 group

Women’s World Cup winner Spain has been drawn in a 2025 European Championship group with Italy, Belgium and Portugal.

England and new coach Tuchel land in 2026 World Cup qualifying group with Serbia and Albania

Thomas Tuchel’s first official duty as England coach was to see his new team drawn in a 2026 World Cup qualifying group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.

Italy on path to end long World Cup absence when FIFA draws 12 European qualifying groups for 2026

FIFA draws the 12 European qualifying groups on Friday for the 2026 World Cup in North America. It will set Italy on the path toward reaching its first World Cup since 2014.

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly?

Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament.

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns

Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations.

Norway plans to protest FIFA and abstain from decision giving 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia

Norway’s soccer federation plans to abstain from giving its approval when Saudi Arabia is confirmed Wednesday as the 2034 World Cup host, saying FIFA has done too little to protect human rights around the tournament.

World Cup hosting decisions set to kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi Arabia and FIFA

The inevitable result has been clear since last year. Saudi Arabia will be confirmed by FIFA as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday.

Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues

The United Nations’ top human rights official has pledged to try to ensure migrant labor standards in Saudi Arabia are “properly respected” around soccer’s 2034 World Cup. FIFA will confirm the kingdom on Wednesday as the 2034 host.

Olympics leader Bach talks up working with President-elect Trump toward 2028 Los Angeles Games

IOC president Thomas Bach says Olympic leaders are “very confident and relaxed” about working with the incoming Trump administration ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. U.S.

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up. Here’s what to know

Soccer’s biggest ever global club tournament comes to the United States next year and the 32-team group stage is drawn Thursday. FIFA relaunched the Club World Cup to be played every four years.

FIFA urged not to give 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia in report alleging abuses of migrant labor

FIFA has been urged not to give Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup hosting rights next week without binding commitments to protect migrant labor working on massive projects in the kingdom.

Bank of America signs again with FIFA for US-hosted Club World Cup that still has no TV deals

Bank of America has teamed with FIFA for a second time. The bank signed for the 32-team Club World Cup that has no broadcast deals six months before games start in the United States.

IOC official open to back-to-back World Cup in Saudi Arabia and Salt Lake Olympics in early 2034

A senior IOC official says scheduling the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia back-to-back with the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Games would pose “no risk” to the Olympics.

Saudi Arabia’s network of spending and influence detailed before getting 2034 World Cup from FIFA

Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and massive spending in global sports have been detailed in research ahead of the kingdom being confirmed by FIFA next week as the 2034 World Cup host.

FIFA inspection praises Saudi Arabia bid to host 2034 World Cup ahead of Dec. 11 decision

FIFA has approved the quality of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup in a 110-page evaluation that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.

Liverpool shines in Champions League, dumping Real Madrid down the table. Dortmund rises to 4th

Liverpool stayed perfect in the Champions League. A 2-0 win at Anfield dumped title holder Real Madrid into an almost unbelievable 24th place in the 36-team standings.

Two US senators urge FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host over human rights risks

Two United States senators have urged FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host next month.

Champions League returns with Liverpool-Real Madrid and Bayern-PSG rematches of recent finals

Real Madrid playing Liverpool in the Champions League has twice in recent years been a final between arguably the two best teams in the competition.

Spain drawn against the Netherlands in Nations League quarterfinals. France paired with Croatia

European champion Spain has been drawn against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Nations League, while France was paired with Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final. Italy will face Germany and Portugal will play Denmark.

Lyon late surge routs Roma in Women’s Champions League. Chelsea, Real Madrid also into quarterfinals

Two goals in two minutes by substitute Kadidiatou Diani roused Lyon to a late-surging 4-1 win over Roma and a place in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals.

Soccer’s ‘worst’ national team rises toward 2026 World Cup chance after Nations League group win

The official worst national team in men’s soccer is within sight of entering qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Lyon and Chelsea take clear leads in Women’s Champions League groups. Madrid, Wolfsburg also win

Record eight-time European champion Lyon got a stunning goal from 21-year-old Melchy Dumornay in a 3-0 win at Roma in the Champions League. Dumornay scored with a chipped shot from inside the center circle.

European qualifying draw for 2026 World Cup in North America now in play as Nations League ends

The final rounds of Nations League games in the next week bring the 2026 World Cup sharply into focus in Europe. Standout games include Italy hosting France which is again without captain Kylian Mbappé.

After hosting World Cup, Qatar praised by UN rights body for labor law reforms but urged to do more

Qatar has been praised at the United Nations’ top human rights body for improving labor laws before the 2022 World Cup. But Qatar was also urged to fully abolish its employment system for migrant workers known as kafala.

FIFA and IOC hold different track records with Trump ahead of World Cup and Olympics in US

The World Cup and the Summer Games are rare globally shared cultural moments with potential for unifying people. But there are questions around issues like granting visas and providing security that will cross Trump’s desk.

Israeli teams can’t play international games at home. Now, are Maccabi’s away games at risk?

The violence against fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam has some Israelis worried if it’s safe for their sports teams and fans to travel to games abroad. Many Palestinians want them entirely banned over Israel’s conduct of the war with Hamas.

Barcelona, Inter and upstart Brest win again in Champions League. Bizarre penalty dooms Aston Villa

Barcelona and Inter Milan won again in the Champions League on Wednesday though both former title holders are looking up in the standings toward upstart newcomer Brest. Barcelona carried on its hot goalscoring form in a 5-2 win at Red Star Belgrade.