10h

Pink Card tells the story of Iranian women fighting for their rights, with the soccer stadium as a battleground.

In Iran, women are banned from soccer stadiums. But some dare to defy that. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, Pink Card tells a story of Iranian women fighting for their rights across three generations. They use ingenious tactics and risk their lives to take back their stadiums and their joy in the game. Created by Shima Oliaee (Dolly Parton’s America, Radiolab), Pink Card will forever change how you see fandom and freedom. Available December 8th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10h

Series host Shima Oliaee found soccer was a portal to her mother’s home country: Iran. Why did soccer mean so much to her? Shima and her mom meet a young Iranian woman and soccer fan, who’s been named an enemy of the state.

What if I told you...women in Iran *can’t even go to a soccer game.* They’re banned from stadiums. New from 30 for 30 Podcasts, ‘Pink Card’ tells the tale of Iranian women who dare to risk it all – for the simple right to watch a soccer match. Creator Shima Oliaee (Oh-lee-eye) reports on generations of women – who’ve fought to take back their stadiums – and their joy of the game. ‘Pink Card’ will forever change how you see fandom and freedom - keep listening for the first episode and binge the full season now in the 30 for 30 Podcasts feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10h

The new regime in Iran strips women’s rights, bit by bit. When women are banned from the national soccer stadium, it becomes a battleground.

This episode starts with two questions: If women equally led the 1979 revolution, why were their rights stripped away first? How does this happen to an emboldened part of the population? At first, the women fight back, chanting “Azadi! Azadi!” [translation: “Freedom! Freedom!”] in the streets until the clerics back down. But in a story told by legendary writer and activist Mehrangiz Kar, women’s rights erode one by one – leading us to the nationwide ban on women at stadiums. This is when Iran's national soccer stadium becomes a battleground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10h

An activist group, the "White Scarves,” meets in secret. The women use high-profile soccer games to get press. Their capers get them into the stadium, but they face grave danger.

One game sets off a movement. In 1997 Iran surprisingly makes the World Cup in the last three minutes of play against Australia. When Iran's national team gets helicoptered into Azadi Stadium to celebrate, women are asked to stay home. They don't listen, and thousands rush the stadium. This is the origin story of the White Scarves, a group that uses international soccer matches to defy the regime and take back their country. As the White Scarves gain international fame, they face grave danger at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10h

A new generation defies the stadium ban. They cross-dress as men and go public on social media. They face dire consequences and also a brief victory. Pink Card connects the 2022 uprising to the longer struggle for women.

(Warning: this episode includes description of a suicide). The newest generation of Iranian girl soccer fans take a bold new approach. They cross-dress as men to sneak into Azadi Stadium, documenting their rebellion live on social media - an irreverent middle finger to the government. One of those girls is Zeinab Sahafy, from Episode 1. One night four of her friends are arrested and she flees for her life. Another girl, still in the country, loses her life. In a moment described as “a miracle,” Iran’s regime relents on its ban and thousands of women enter the stadium. We end Pink Card wondering how this hard-won slice of freedom connects to the 2022 historic protests and a possible new revolution, more than 40 years after Shima’s teenage mother left home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

19hRyan O'Hanlon

If Americans don't move in this transfer window, is the USMNT's 2026 World Cup doomed?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, how important is it USMNT players transfer to better clubs or find clubs where they can play more?

(Photo by Matias Baglietto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

2dLizzy Becherano and Tim Vickery

Club World Cup offers clues about Messi's role with Argentina in 2026

The Club World Cup illustrated how Lionel Messi can compete against world-class defenses, so what can Argentina expect from him at the 2026 World Cup?

Laurens 'so happy' to see Pogba sign for Monaco (2:02)

ESPN

2dJoey Lynch

How Tony Popovic guided the Socceroos to the 2026 World Cup

When the latest round of qualification began badly, Australia turned to Tony Popovic. Here's the inside story of how he turned things around and helped the Socceroos book a berth at the 2026 World Cup.

ANP via Getty Images

3dAssociated Press

Ronaldo: Needed rest more than Club World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo has said resting up to play in a record sixth World Cup was more important to him than switching teams to play in the Club World Cup.

Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

3dAssociated Press

Heath: CWC shows soccer truly 'embedded' in U.S.

USWNT legend Tobin Heath said competition like the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. have the power to "change the landscape of this game in our country."

Illustration by ESPN

5dJeff Carlisle and Cesar Hernandez

Will the USMNT's star absentees hurt its hopes for the 2026 World Cup?

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest: the U.S. has none of them at the Gold Cup. Is that damaging to their World Cup prep?

Why the 2026 World Cup is a 'huge' factor for Ronaldo's Al Nassr stay (1:19)

Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

7dReuters

German FA fined over 2006 World Cup payment

A German Court on Wednesday fined the German Football Association (DFB) just over €100,000 in relation to a World Cup 2006-related payment which had been at the heart of a years-long scandal.

James Manning - WPA Pool/Getty Images

7dESPN

Southgate awarded knighthood in ceremony

Sir Gareth Southgate has said he felt "more emotional" than he anticipated as he was awarded his knighthood by Prince William in a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Will the pitches be a bigger issue than the heat at the 2026 World Cup? (1:52)

SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images

13dReuters

Gattuso keen to create a 'family' at battered Italy

Italy's new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday pledged to restore enthusiasm and create "a family" at the battered national team, aiming to secure qualification for the next World Cup after the Azzurri missed out twice in a row.

Claudio Villa - FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images

14dReuters

Serie A CEO blames TV piracy for Italy decline

Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo has pointed to illegal streaming and the resulting lack of TV revenue as a factor behind Italy's struggles to nurture homegrown talent as the Azzurri strive to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Paul Kane/Getty Images

15dJoey Lynch

Socceroos using MLS to prepare for World Cup

A trio of Socceroos who call MLS home are confident the league's rising standards will bolster their hopes of being part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Pochettino: Important to start with a win in Gold Cup (0:31)

16d

AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel

16dThe Toe Poke

Bayern Munich's ruthless win in Club World Cup sets new FIFA record

Bayern Munich clobbered an amateur team in the Club World Cup, setting a new all-time record in FIFA competitions.

Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

17dESPN

Italy great Gattuso named country's new coach

Former midfield great Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as Italy's new head coach following Luciano Spalletti exit from the national team.

Gomez: The USMNT is a laughing stock for the world (2:56)

19d

Could Mauricio Pochettino be sacked before the 2026 World Cup? (0:49)

19d

Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images

20dJeff Carlisle

Pulisic: Former USMNT critics 'way out of line'

AC Milan and United States men's national team midfielder Christian Pulisic said that comments from former U.S. players criticizing him for opting to skip the Concacaf Gold Cup are "way out of line."

Group A	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Netherlands	3	2	1	0	+4	7
Senegal	3	2	0	1	+1	6
Ecuador	3	1	1	1	+1	4
Qatar	3	0	0	3	-6	0
Group B	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
England	3	2	1	0	+7	7
United States	3	1	2	0	+1	5
Iran	3	1	0	2	-3	3
Wales	3	0	1	2	-5	1
Group C	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Argentina	3	2	0	1	+3	6
Poland	3	1	1	1	0	4
Mexico	3	1	1	1	-1	4
Saudi Arabia	3	1	0	2	-2	3
Group D	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
France	3	2	0	1	+3	6
Australia	3	2	0	1	-1	6
Tunisia	3	1	1	1	0	4
Denmark	3	0	1	2	-2	1
Group E	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Japan	3	2	0	1	+1	6
Spain	3	1	1	1	+6	4
Germany	3	1	1	1	+1	4
Costa Rica	3	1	0	2	-8	3
Group F	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Morocco	3	2	1	0	+3	7
Croatia	3	1	2	0	+3	5
Belgium	3	1	1	1	-1	4
Canada	3	0	0	3	-5	0
Group G	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Brazil	3	2	0	1	+2	6
Switzerland	3	2	0	1	+1	6
Cameroon	3	1	1	1	0	4
Serbia	3	0	1	2	-3	1
Group H	GP	W	D	L	GD	P
Portugal	3	2	0	1	+2	6
South Korea	3	1	1	1	0	4
Uruguay	3	1	1	1	0	4
Ghana	3	1	0	2	-2	3