International Soccer

MANCHESTER — Chelsea coach Emma Hayes has always done things her own way, but not even she could have predicted how her side would come back in her final game in charge to snatch the Women's Super League title that she had conceded two weeks ago.

After a glittering 12 years in charge, Hayes, who is leaving to take over the U.S. women's national team, looked set to depart without winning a trophy in her final season before a remarkable turnaround brought her seventh WSL crown.

Emma Hayes league title

Emma Hayes will manage her final game with Chelsea on Saturday before she turns her attention toward the United States women’s national team. A growing list of USWNT injuries will be a main concern for Hayes.

There is good news and bad news for U.S. fans at the moment. The bad news is that big names are missing time due to injuries. The good news is that the Olympics doesn’t start for another two months and there’s still time for those players to recover.

Here’s a list of USWNT injuries that could impact who Hayes calls up for two friendlies vs. South Korea in early June.

BANGKOK — Brazil was declared host of the 2027 Women's World Cup after winning a vote at the annual FIFA Congress on Friday, beating the joint bid of Belgium, Netherlands and Germany to become the first South American country picked to stage the tournament.

Brazil won with 119 votes versus 78 for the joint European entry, boosted by a technical evaluation from world governing body FIFA that gave a high score for its commercial plan and stadiums purpose-built for the 2014 Men's World Cup.

American head coach and former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch made a stunning move to oversee the Canada national team.

Marsch was announced as the new head coach on Monday and will be dealt the task of leading Canada in the Copa América this summer. His contract with Canada goes through summer 2026 meaning he’ll also be in charge for the 2026 World Cup.

Marsch joins Canada

Captains will be the only ones allowed to speak to the referee and discuss a decision during matches at the upcoming European Championship in a bid to facilitate clearer communication, UEFA's managing director of refereeing Roberto Rosetti said.

If any other player is found to approach the referee showing any sign of disrespect or dissent they will be shown a yellow card, Rosetti said.

Euro yellow card rule

"Being a referee in the modern game is very difficult," Rosetti said in an open letter on Tuesday.

Brazil's bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup scored higher than its rival, a joint bid from Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, in a FIFA's evaluation report released on Tuesday.

The world soccer governing body bid report came ahead of the vote at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, which will decide where the next Women's World Cup will be held.

The United States women’s national team will say goodbye to another star as defender Kelley O’Hara announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2024 NWSL season.

O’Hara goes down as one of the best fullbacks in USWNT history as her 14-year career with the national team saw her win two World Cups and a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.

United States' Sergino Dest will miss the Copa America after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with the defender confirming he will undergo surgery soon.

Dest, who has spent this season on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Barcelona, suffered the injury late last month while training with the Dutch club.

"Unfortunately I've torn my ACL, I will have an operation soon and will try to come back as soon as possible to my top level. It will be a difficult time for me," Dest said in a video posted on social media.

Soccer fans in the United States received news on Monday that the U.S. and Mexico’s joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup was withdrawn. The answer to the question of when will USA host Womens World Cup could be in 2031.

While the U.S. and Mexico have pulled out of trying to host the 2027 edition, the two federations are turning their focus toward 2031.

When will USA host Womens World Cup?