James Dostoyevsky: There is a case to suspend Israel from all football
For more than two months, the world has been watching with horror and incredulity how civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza.
FIFA
Saudi FA boss Yasser Al-Misehal says it is ‘important’ LGBTQ+ fans feel safe at 2034 World Cup
December 21 – Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al-Misehal has said that ‘Everyone will be welcome’, including LGBTQ+ fans, at the 2034 World Cup, a tournament FIFA is set to formally award to the Arab Kingdom next year.
FIFA’s Wenger rejects concerns over player welfare as he bangs drum for Club World Cup
December 20 – FIFA’s head of global football development, Arsene Wenger, has backed plans for an expanded Club World Cup from 2025 and downplayed concerns about overload and player welfare.
Man City cruise past Urawa Red Diamonds to set up CWC final against Fluminense
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 20 – European champions Manchester City rekindled some of their form with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Urawa Red Diamonds to book a place in the final of the Club World Cup.
Guardiola and Silva warn new Club World Cup will only dilute European game’s intensity
December 19 – Manchester City’s Portuguese forward Bernardo Silva has warned that the expanded Club World Cup will take a heavy toll on elite players, saying the number of games they have to play has reached “crazy” proportions.
Chile and Poland granted hosting rights to U-20 men’s and women’s World Cups
December 19 – FIFA have awarded hosting rights to Chile for the U-20 World Cup 2025 and Poland as the host of the U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.
Fluminense beat Al Ahly to reach Club World Cup final
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 18 – South America is returning to the final of the Club World Cup after Fluminense edged past African champions Al Ahly of Egypt 2-0 with second-half goals from Joao Arias and John Kennedy.
FIFA confirms qualifiers for 2025 CWC, unveils new Intercontinental Cup competition details
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 18 – FIFA confirmed that the 2025 Club World Cup will be played across 29 days in June and July that summer in the United States. Both English Premier League’s Liverpool and Manchester United miss out on the new competition while LaLiga’s Barcelona could still qualify.
Fifpro slams FIFA’s 2025 Club World Cup timing as player workload increased again
December 18 – The first edition of the expanded Club World Cup will be staged from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States but the world players union Fifpro has slammed FIFA’s decision.
Spain top FIFA rankings for first time as record 192 nations make listing
December 16 – World champions Spain have secured the top spot in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings for the first time, knocking off ranking leaders Sweden who themselves had only had a short time at the top after displacing the USA in August. The US had held an unbroken six year run at the top.
Al Ahly thrash Al-Ittihad’s Euro stars to set up Fluminense CWC semi. Urawa reds to face Man City
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 17 – African champions Al Ahly from Egypt eliminated hosts Al-Ittihad from the Club World Cup with a resounding 3-1 win to set up a semi-final against Brazil’s Fluminense. Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds complete the last-four line-up and will face Manchester City.
Infantino defends 2030 and 2034 World Cup decisions as ‘the best FIFA can do’
December 15 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2030 and 2034 World Cup bidding processes as “the best FIFA can do for football, covering the entire world in only eight years”.
FIFA stick with Panini deal through to 2030
December 15 – FIFA and Panini have extended their long-standing licensing and sponsorship partnership in a deal which will see the global brand remain FIFA’s exclusive partner for official stickers, trading cards, trading-card games and digital collectibles.
Spanish dominate women’s Best nominees; can Haaland wrestle men’s award off Messi?
December 15 – FIFA has announced the final nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards ahead of the 2023 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards ahead of the ceremony next month.
Agents bank a record $881m in 2023 as court rulings give them protection from FIFA fee regulation
December 15 – Player agents fees reached a record $881.million in 2023, a massive 42.5% increase in the $623.2 million paid to agents in 2022. The previous record for agents fees was set in 2019 ($654.7 million).