Last Monday, the architectural firm behind the stadium being built for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar released a short animation to reveal what the stadium's design will eventually look like — and what it will look like, turns out, is a giant metal vagina
The first rule of business? Know your customer. Brazilian sex workers are on it: The Association of Prostitutes is offering free English classes, since the Confederations Cup takes place in Brazil this June and the World Cup takes place in Brazil in June 2014. (Prostitution is legal in Brazil.)
Unsurprising, but still BLERGHHH. Shortly after Nadeshiko Japan, the nation's women's soccer team, lost Thursday's game to the U.S. 2-1, the terms "Jap," "Pearl Harbor" and "Hiroshima" trended on the relentless shit soufflé that is Twitter. And why not? There's no better way to celebrate a victory than namecheck historical…
Women's soccer had long-struggled to find an audience in Japan, a fact that made the Japanese team's win against the United States' perennial juggernaut of a women's team at last July's Women's World Cup that much more significant. With the win, Japan had snapped a 26-game losing streak against the Americans and…
Professional athletes and huge ad campaigns go hand-in-hand. From sneakers to sports drinks to credit cards to cars, sports stars with fans often become advertising stars with a following. Although the U.S. soccer team lost to Japan in the World Cup Finals, some of the players — Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan…
Have you been paying attention to the Women's World Cup? Hope you have a cardiologist on speed dial, because this entire tournament has been a nerve (and heart) destroyer. Here are some highlights from today's seesaw match between the US and Japan.
Okay, here's a silver lining if the U.S. doesn't win the Women's World Cup finals on Sunday: Japan could use all the happy news it can get after this year's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.
Team USA's Lauren Cheney and Abby Wambach spoke to Good Morning America about yesterday's big 3-1 win over France
Detractors of female soccer argue that the women's game isn't as interesting for spectators as the men's because men are bigger and stronger. When you watch a men's team play, you'll see more athleticism! More manly muscles! More grunting and five o'clock shadow and questionable tattoos! But there's another, less…
Marta Vieira da Silva, also known simply as Marta, is probably the Women's World Cup's biggest star. Let's learn a little more about the athlete sometimes called "Pele in a skirt."
Last year's men's World Cup drew the world's attention to South Africa, but men aren't the only ones who can kick balls and turn heads with their soccer prowess.
• According to the Daily Mail, there is a such thing as the Jennifer Aniston Effect. No, this has nothing to do with weeping silently into your pillow over your lack of babies or Brad — it's about your hair.
Michael Becker, who manages German soccer captain Michael Ballack, attributed the team's more elegant and agile style to "gay players," saying they cost Germany the World Cup. Coach Joachim Löw refused to respond, saying he wouldn't "stoop so low."
[Amsterdam, July 13. Women dance on a boat wearing orange minidresses from brewer Bavaria during the Dutch national soccer team's parade through the canal system of downtown Amsterdam]
There's something particularly enjoyable about the ecstasy of soccer players celebrating their World Cup goals. So please do enjoy this collection of the happiest men on earth, each lost in their own man-love moment. It is delightful.
[Madrid, July 12. A girl gets written on her body the names of some of the Spanish players as she waits for the arrival of the Spanish team. Image via AP]
In our last examination of perfection of the human physique, we present you Spain's victorious moments. The images need no comment, but the emotional pictures captain and goalie Iker Casillas
After Spain's win yesterday, goalie Iker Casillas was interviewed by reporter Sara Carbonero (who's also his "distracting"
Sunday in Johannesburg, Spain and Netherlands will compete one last time for gorgeous glory. Odds are on Spain to take the match, but who'll take your breath away? In our ongoing celebration of athletic perfection, this is the final showdown.
Paul, the World Cup-predicting octopus
[Pamplona, July 7. Spanish fans celebrate during the San Fermin running of the bulls' fiesta while watching Spain play Germany in the FIFA 2010 World Cup match on a giant TV screen]
Paul, an octopus living in a German zoo, has successfully predicted the winner of all of Germany's World Cup matches, including last night's loss to Spain. Now some fans want to literally grill Paul, believing his prophecies influence superstitious players.
As we dribble our way towards the tournament's end, we've bid farewell to many gifted men. So we'd like to take a moment of (relative) silence to honor some of those whom we've most recently had to say goodbye.
Nerve's Lindsay Cutler raises an important question: if, on pain of death, you were forced to make one of these strapping, gifted athletic teams your boyfriend, who would you choose?
[Cape Town, July 3. Image via Pacific Coast News.]
Spain. Paraguay. Vuvuzelas. Let the game begin:
As most of you probably know, today is an off-day for our dear players, as the buildup for the World Cup quarterfinal begins. However, just because there's been a break in competition doesn't mean we have to quit our gawking.
