Author: Nancy Armour, USA TODAY

Wales’ Gareth Bale converted a penalty in the 82nd minute after USMNT’s Walker Zimmerman hauled him down from behind for a 1-1 draw Monday.

Iran’s players were silent for national anthem to show support for widespread uprisings prompted by death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody.

Qatar has been criticized for laundry list of human rights abuses, including exploitation of migrant workers and criminalization of homosexuality.

Alcoholic beer will no longer be sold at the World Cup stadiums in Qatar in a stunning about-face only days before the tournament begins.

Gio Reyna’s father, Claudio, was USMNT’s captain at two World Cups, including 2002 tournament when the Americans made a surprise run to quarterfinals.

USMNT roster for Qatar includes three teenagers and is the second-youngest it has ever sent to a World Cup. Only the 1990 team was younger.

Qatar will be the smallest country to host the World Cup since Switzerland in 1954. The Gulf nation is smaller than the state of Connecticut.

Dan and Tanya Snyder confirm they’ve hired BofA Securities to “consider” offers for Washington Commanders but don’t give details on what that means.

US women have won team title at every major gymnastics competition but one since 2011. Lone exception was silver medal at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.