June 18 – Javier Tebas is seemingly determined not to make FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s Christmas card list, as his criticisms of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup are becoming increasingly vitriolic. But here’s the thing – he might actually have a point.
June 17 – Even to the casual television viewer watching DAZN’s broadcast of Paris Saint-Germain versus Atlético Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, during FIFA’s Club World Cup, it looked brutally hot. Now we’re hearing from the fans and media who were actually there – and it’s an absolute horror story that should have the brass at FIFA headquarters asking questions.
June 18 – Brazilian star Neymar has confirmed that Fluminense approached him with a short-term offer to join the club for the Club World Cup.
June 18 – FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup is attracting more attention over the thousands of empty seats in stadia across the US than the football that is being played.
June 17 – FIFA has opted not to display any explicit anti-racism or anti-discrimination messaging at this summer’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States, a stark shift from previous tournaments and one that leaves the governing body out of step with regional counterparts like Concacaf, who are actively promoting anti-racism protocols at every match of the ongoing Gold Cup.
June 17 – FIFA has added online betting firm Betano as a regional sponsor for the Club World Cup, reigniting a previous partnership from the Qatar 2022 World Cup as the governing body ramps up commercial activity around its expanded and controversial club tournament, even after it has already begun.
June 17 – Robbie Williams has been unveiled as FIFA’s latest Music Ambassador, headlining the start of the new-look Club World Cup with his official tournament track, Desire.
June 17 – Just 72 hours into FIFA’s Club World Cup spectacle, players and fans across the United States are expressing concerns about the stifling heat that has been witnessed from Miami to Los Angeles.
June 16 – FIFA has handed control of its struggling FIFA+ digital streaming platform to DAZN, in a new long-term partnership that will see the sports streaming service operate and develop the product globally, announced on Saturday.
June 16 – Bayern Munich fans protested against the state of affairs and governance at world football’s governing body FIFA during their Club World Cup opener, unfurling a banner demanding ‘Smash FIFA’.
June 16 – FIFA has been forced into logistical gymnastics at the Club World Cup, shifting spectators around stadiums to ensure television broadcasts give the illusion of packed stands – a visual necessity as its new-format tournament struggles to ignite enough local interest to fill stadiums.
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
June 13 – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be active at the Club World Cup that kicks off on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and throughout the month-long tournament.
June 13 – On Saturday, host club Inter Miami kick off the controversial 32-team Club World Cup against Al Ahly of Egypt. The build-up to the tournament has been marred by controversy, ranging from sporting integrity and low ticket sales to a lack of broadcast deals and disinterest from the major clubs.
June 12 – Following your team across continents has never been cheap or simple, but FIFA’s latest partnership with Airbnb comes with a promise to ease the logistical burden for travelling supporters.
June 13 – The latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking update offers a sharp reminder that the United States’ long-standing dominance in the women’s game is no longer unchallenged.