Arsenal score upgraded deal with Konami and PES
October 11 – Arsenal have turned their in-game license agreement with video game PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) into an official partnership with the game’s maker Konami Digital Entertainment.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
First ticket sales window for Russia 2018 set to close. 2 million applications so far
October 10 – Fans have just one day left to register for the first round of ticket sales for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The ticket application window, which has been open since September 14, closes noon Moscow time on October 12.
Australia shatter Syria’s World Cup dream with extra time winner
By Paul Nicholson
October 10 – The Syrian dream of their first ever World Cup appearance was shattered in the second half of extra time in Australia when Tim Cahill headed in his second goal of the match with 11 minutes remaining.
Multiple concussions linked to mental health issues, finds FIFpro report
October 10 – Professional footballers and other athletes who have suffered from concussion are more likely to get depression and other problems including sleep disturbance when their playing careers end, according to new research carried out by FIFpro.
Chelsea head Big 5 club rankings with 90.4% of matches played by non-English players
October 10 – The epithet that the English Premier League is a league that just happens to be played in England is reinforced by the latest stats ranking from the CIES Football Observatory that show 12 of its clubs in the top 100 in Europe according to the percentage of domestic league minutes played by expatriates since the start of the season.
Iceland warm to Russia 2018 as smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup finals
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – They’ve done it again. All predictions that Iceland would be one-hit wonders after their sensational appearance at Euro 2016 have been well and truly crushed after they became the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup finals.
Brazilian women turn on CBF demanding equality and opportunity
By Samindra Kunti
October 10 – The crisis in the Brazilian women’s game is deepening following an open letter from veteran players to the Brazilian FA (CBF) demanding gender equality and reform in the game.
CAS make Burkina Faso wait on appeal against FIFA’s SA vs Senegal replay decision
October 10 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that it has received Burkino Faso’s appeal challenging FIFA’s decision to replay the South Africa-Senegal World Cup qualifier but that it will not make any imminent decision.
El Corte Inglés signs on for one-year sponsorship journey with La Liga
October 10 – Spain’s LaLiga has added another top tier sponsor partner for the Spanish market. El Corte Inglés has signed a one-year deal for LaLiga’s top two divisions.
World Cup heartache: Irish slay Welsh dragon, Croatia gamble pays off against Ukraine
October 10 – How quickly emotions change in football. Having reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 against all odds, Wales’ 60-year wait for a place at the World Cup continues as they were beaten 1-0 by the Republic of Ireland in a winner-takes-all showdown for a playoff place for Russia.
USL sets new attendance record as preferred suppliers roster builds
October 10 – The fast-growing second tier of US professional football (soccer), the USL, has set a new league record surpassing the 2 million attendance milestone for 2017 as the season enters the final round of matches before the play-offs.
Giroud’s ‘Scorpion’ battles Castellanos and Masuluke for Puskas Award
October 10 – Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud’s much-acclaimed ‘scorpion’ kick is through to the final stage of the Puskas Award for the best goal of last season.
India showcases its best and worst at opening games of U17 World Cup
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi, India
October 9 – India were outclassed 0-3 by the United States in their opening game of the U-17 World Cup, but local organisers have struggled with ticketing and basic services at venues on the tournament’s opening weekend.
Facebook enters the game but watches the big leagues from the bench
By Paul Nicholson
October 9 – Expectations that Facebook will be the next premium tier sports rights buyer that pushes broadcast fees into the next level financial stratosphere are likely premature. While the global social media giant has plenty of cash and bandwidth, it is its bandwidth it is selling and not its cash it is spending.
Qataris dismiss report on 2022 construction crisis as geo-political skulduggery
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have angrily dismissed claims that the Saudi-led political and trade blockade of the Gulf state could see it stripped of hosting rights because of inability to complete essential infrastructure projects in time.