October 30 – FIFA has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities for three years following his ill-judged kiss of Spain’s Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup presentation ceremony on August.
By Paul Nicholson
October 29 – Having conducted a series of meetings in Portugal and Spain, the three joint bidding nations for the 2030 World Cup officially officially signed their letter confirming their interest to bid in Rabat. Morocco.
October 27 – The head of the European Leagues, the umbrella body for leagues across the continent, has re-iterated criticism of football’s governing bodies – in particular FIFA – for failing to consult with his members over the expansion of the international calendar.
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – If the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026 matches the no-holds barred drama and competitiveness of the US cities battling in the high-stakes race to host the final, then it really could be a best-ever World Cup for FIFA.
October 27 – World champions Argentina remain top (1861 points) of the World Rankings after two wins from two in the second round of Conmebol World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as the Albiceleste cruised past Paraguay and Peru without conceding a goal.
October 26 – It was just the decision he had been waiting for and he milked it with all the self-congratulation he could muster.
By Samindra Kunti
October 25 – Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have promised one of the most “compact” tournaments yet in the race to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
October 23 – One of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad has been handed a two-year ban by FIFA for doping, blaming his failed test on taking his son’s cough medicine.
October 20 – Having already all but been assured of the 2034 men’s World Cup, Saudi Arabia has now expressed an interest in staging the women’s version a year later.
October 19 – FIFA have opened the second phase of ticket sales for the Club World Cup 2023, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
October 19 – The three presidents of the Morocco, Portugal and Spain federations meeting in Lisbon and Madrid this week, have confirmed that they will submit their official letter of interest to joint host the 2030 World Cup on October 28.
October 12 – Reports from Saudi Arabia are that about 90 countries have so far backed the kindgom’s candidacy to host the 2034 World Cup.
October 11 – Saudi Arabia, looking to be a shoo-in to stage the 2034 World Cup now looks to have a potential rival in the bidding process.
October 9 – Saudi Arabia have wasted no time submitting their formal letter of intent to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup today. Last week FIFA announced after that only nation from the AFC and OFC could bid for 2034.
October 9 – The groups for the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 have been drawn following a ceremony at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai.