Saudi plans eight new stadia for 2034 but doubts over event dates and human rights persist
August 2 – Saudi Arabia is planning major stadium construction with eight new venues to be built as part of the plan to deliver the 2034 World Cup.
FIFA
Saudi FA boss promises country will ‘astonish’ the world with 2034 World Cup hosting
July 31 – Speaking after the bid book for the hosting of the 2034 World Cup was handed in to FIFA in Paris on Monday, Yasser Al Misehal (pictured), president, Saudi Arabian Football Federation said, that they will deliver an event that will “astonish the world”.
World Cup 2030 and 2034 hosting bid books handed over to FIFA in Paris
July 30 – Plans to stage the 2030 and 2034 World Cups have passed a key landmark with FIFA receiving the formal bid books from leaders of the seven member federations involved.
FIFA closes the door on Palestine hosting 2026 qualifiers but it might not be good for Israel
July 29 – FIFA and the AFC have refused Palestine the right to stage their home World Cup qualifying matches in September in the West Bank.
Saudis release early plans for 92,000-capacity Riyadh Stadium for 2034 World Cup
July 29 – Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build a 92,000-capacity stadium in Riyadh to stage major sporting events with a decision on its 2034 World Cup bid due this year.
Olympic chaos as Morocco-Argentina opener marred by violence
July 25 – The men’s Olympic football tournament got off to a violent and chaotic start Wednesday as Morocco stunned two-time gold medalist Argentina with a 2-1 win.
European Leagues and Fifpro files abuse of power complaint at EC, FIFA calls them hypocrites
July 23 – Open warfare has broken out between FIFA and the European leagues and player unions after the latter announced they had teamed up to carry out their threat of legal action over the protracted international match calendar, in particular the staging of 2025 Club World Cup.
FIFA push back decision on Israeli suspension until after Olympic tournament
July 19 – Israel will be allowed to compete at the Olympic football tournament after FIFA delayed a decision over Palestine’s call to suspend the Israel Football Association (IFA).
Pressure builds on FIFA to suspend Israel ahead of extraordinary Council meeting
July 18 – On the eve of a scheduled extraordinary FIFA council meeting to decide the fate of Israel’s immediate future in international football, human rights and pressure groups have called on the world governing body to suspend the country from the international game.
Spain jump to 3rd spot in men’s world rankings as Argentina maintain lead
July 18 – Argentina have strengthened their grip on the top spot of the FIFA World Ranking following their Copa America win maintaining their lead over second placed France who crashed out in semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Argentine players’ anti-French racist chanting prompts FIFA complaint
July 17 – The French FA have pledged to file a complaint with FIFA over “racist and discriminatory remarks” by Argentina players in post-match chants about the French team after their Copa America title win.
With FIFA failing to get a bite of Apple, tenders open for Club World Cup TV rights
July 16 – Almost a year before the inaugural expanded 32-team Club World Cup, FIFA has invited bids for rights to broadcast the 63-game tournament in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East & North Africa.
Tani to give U17 Women’s World Cup teams a Dominican Republic welcome
July 8 – Tani, the mascot for the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in the Dominican Republic, has been unveiled with 100 days to go until the tournament begins.
Palestinians submit arguments to FIFA’s legal eagles making case for banning of Israel
July 2 – In a submission to FIFA’s independent legal committee, the Palestinian FA has called for a ban of the Israeli Football Association (IFA), stepping up a previous motion brought before the FIFA Congress in May that demanded ‘appropriate sanctions’ against the Israelis.
FIFA seeks funding partners to expand its FIFA+ broadcast platform
June 28 – FIFA has enlisted UBS to raise up to $2 billion for the expansion of its streaming platform FIFA+, Bloomberg reports.