Help power Marketplace this winter when you support the show today. Donate Now!

Women's World Cup: More teams, more money

Jul 20, 2023
FIFA sold media rights separately for the women's and men's tournaments this year, boosting the revenue potential for players and teams.
A screen displays the attendance during a match between Australia and Ireland at the Women's World Cup on Thursday. This year’s Women’s World Cup is expected to be watched by bigger crowds and bigger global audiences.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

FIFA says broadcasters lowballed bids for the Women's World Cup

Oct 21, 2022
With the popularity of the women's game soaring, FIFA has asked broadcasters to up their bids.
Above, the U.S. Women's Soccer team celebrates their 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup win. This year, the federation has asked broadcasters to up their bids for broadcast rights after receiving lowball offers.
Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Plan for a soccer superleague is kicked to the curb

Apr 21, 2021
A proposed superleague of Europe's biggest soccer teams crumbled within 48 hours, after immediate, blistering outrage from fans.
When it comes to soccer, a.k.a. "the beautiful game," don't mess with the fans.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

How the financial structure of American men's soccer limits success on the world stage

Aug 9, 2019
In the United States, the financial burden of developing elite young players falls to parents.
Christian Pulisic of the United States men's team is tackled by Kevon Villaroel of Trinidad and Tobago during the FIFA World Cup qualifier match in 2017 in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ashley Allen/Getty Images

FIFA World Cup by the numbers

Jul 13, 2018
Every four years, the Men's FIFA World Cup final is widely recognized as the most-watched event in the world.
A general view of Brazuca and the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the Maracana before the adidas Brazuca launch at Parque Lage on December 3, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images for adidas

Following the money in soccer's biggest scandal

Jun 15, 2018
Author Ken Bensinger dives into how the United States put together a case against brazen corruption in the world's most popular sport.
A FIFA logo sits next to the entrance at the FIFA headquarters on June 3, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. 
Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

A battle for World Cup supremacy happens off the pitch

Jun 14, 2018
Every four years, the soccer tournament turns into an epic branding battle between Nike and Adidas.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

FIFA corruption report has scandals but no disqualification

Jun 28, 2017
FIFA released a 2014 report looking at ethics violations in the World Cup host nation selection process for 2018 and 2022.
A FIFA suitcase.
Christof Koepsel/Getty

What a 48-team World Cup means for FIFA — and soccer fans

Jan 10, 2017
Soccer's international governing body hopes to move past its corruption scandal and expand the World Cup. Will it generate more money in the process?
Daniel Sturridge of England beats goalkeeper Craig Gordon of Scotland to score their first goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying match between England and Scotland at Wembley Stadium on November 11, 2016 in London, England. 
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Retired U.S. Women's Soccer star Abby Wambach on gender wage gap

Oct 3, 2016
Wambach shares her personal struggles in new memoir, 'Forward'
Abby Wambach of the United States reacts during the women's soccer match against China at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. 
Chris Graythen/Getty Images