Croatia and China agree knowledge exchange and player development agreement
July 29 – The Croatian Football Association (HNS) and the Chinese National Football Academy have signed a cooperation agreement.
Federations
Consortium to expand Tokyo national stadium with 2050 World Cup bid a possibility
July 9 – A consortium led by Japan’s largest mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo is aiming to increase the permanent capacity at Tokyo’s National Stadium from 68,000 to 80,000 as the country reportedly eyes a shot at hosting the FIFA World Cup for a second time.
South Korea appoint Hong Myung-bo as Klinsmann’s successor
July 9 – World Cup legend Hong Myung-bo has returned to lead South Korea for a second time after the Korean Football Association (KFA) named him the country’s new manager.
Man City, PSG, West Ham and Leicester women’s teams head for Perth for pre-season
July 1 – Manchester City Women will travel down under this August to take part in the first Perth International Football Cup as part of the club’s preparations for the 2024/25 season – following a gutting end to 2023/24.
Ooredoo dialled in for Qatar Stars League naming rights
June 27 – The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has announced Qatar government-backed telecommunications company Ooredoo as its new title sponsor.
India sack Stimac after failure to reach third round of 2026 qualifying
June 17 – India have dismissed their Croatian manager Igor Stimac after the Blue Tigers failed to reach the third round of World Cup qualifying.
Saudis close league season with record sets of stats in a game-changing season
May 31 – The Saudi Pro league (officially called the Roshn Saudi League) may have its critics in western Europe, but the 2023/24 season has undoubtedly been a game changer in the country and for the league internationally.
South Korea appoint Kim Do-hoon as second interim for upcoming 2026 qualifiers
May 21 – As the wait goes on to appoint a permanent coach in succession to Jurgen Klinsmann who was sacked in February, South Korea have announced that another caretaker will be in charge when they look to seal their place in the next round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi FA to review safety policy after fan whipped player at Super Cup final
April 16 – The whipping of a player by a spectator after the Saudi Arabian Super Cup final has been condemned by the country’s football federation and players’ union.
Bundesliga goes to Bollywood
April 16 – Bollywood superstar Kartik Aaryan has become an ambassador for the Bundesliga Dream India project, which aims to give opportunities to young Indian football talent and aid their development.
Ronaldo fury at Saudi Super Cup sending off for violent conduct lands him in deep desert water
April 9 – Saudi League poster boy Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a match ban and significant fine after receiving an 86th minute red card while playing for Al Nassr against Al Hilal in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup.
Vietnam fire Troussier as World Cup 2026 dream fades after Indonesia defeats
March 28 – Vietnam have dismissed Philippe Troussier as manager after a shattering 3-0 defeat to local rivals Indonesia in World Cup qualifying.
China sentences FA officials with former FA chief Chen Xuyuan given life in prison
March 26 – A former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), Chen Xuyuan, has been sentenced to life in prison for bribery in the latest crackdown on the country’s corruption-plagued football landscape.
Palestine FA sends FIFA agenda item calling for Israel to be sanctioned at May Congress
March 19 – In a letter to FIFA, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) has demanded that Congress consider “appropriate” sanctions against the Israeli Football Association (IFA) and its clubs because of “unprecedented international human rights and humanitarian law violations” in the war on Gaza.
Myanmar builds its safeguarding educational output with launch of a series of programmes
March 11 Coinciding with International Women’s Day and as part of the AFC’s Women’s Football Day last week, the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) organised a Safeguarding Workshop in an effort to fortify safeguarding practices within the game.
