Jamal Khashoggi’s widow urges FIFA tribute on husband at Saudi 2034
January 28 – The widow of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has urged FIFA to commemorate her late husband at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA
FIFA refuses to monitor conditions of migrant workers ahead of Saudi 2034
January 28 – In a new low, FIFA has rejected a request by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa to monitor the conditions of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2034 World Cup.
Another day another despot. Infantino continues his private jolly jet tour of the world
January 27 – With a visit to Italy’s far-right deputy prime-minister Matteo Salvini, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has once again marked his presidency by his keenness to use his football honorarium for non-football involvement in extremist political circles.
Singing FIFA’s tune. Robbie Williams to be voice of Club World Cup
January 27 – International singing superstar, Robbie Williams, has been named as a ‘music ambassador’ for FIFA and will perform a song for this year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Wanted: volunteers ‘to bring FIFA World Cup 2025 to life’
January 24 – To successfully run an international tournament containing 32 teams from varying continents, an army of volunteers is an ‘absolute must’ for any organising committee. With the FIFA World Club Cup just a few months away from kick-off, the world’s governing body has been silent until now.
‘Let’s make the world great again’ – Infantino revels in mutual back-slapping with fellow president Trump
January 21 – Who says sport and politics don’t mix? Among the scores of dignitaries attending Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony was FIFA boss Gianni Infantino who has admitted the pair share a “great friendship.”
Infantino lands in Washington for a kick-around with Trump
January 20 – On Monday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino will attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States in Washington DC, the football boss confirmed on his Instagram page.
FIFA bans Venezuelan Manuel Alvarez for five years and fines him $1m
January 20 – FIFA has banned Manuel Álvarez, one-time general secretary of the Venezuelan FA, for five years for financial wrongdoing and fined him nearly $1 million.
HRW report warns that kafala labour system is alive and killing in Saudi and Qatar
January 17 – Human Rights Watch has spotlighted “a legacy of widespread migrant labor abuses” in Qatar following the 2022 World Cup and “widespread abuses under the kafala system on PIF-funded projects” in Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup.
ILO accepts 2016 complaint of migrant worker abuse and wage theft in Saudi Arabia
January 17 – A complaint accusing Saudi Arabia of abusing migrant workers has been deemed admissable by the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation amid fears this could increase as the country prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.
FIFA open knock-out round Club World Cup ticket sales with final seats starting at $633
January 17 – FIFA, on Thursday, launched ticket sales for the knockout round of its revamped 32-team Club World Cup with final tickets starting at an eye-catching $633.
FIFA launches Spanish rights tender for 2026 and home-hosted 2030 World Cups
January 16 – In 2030, Spain will co-host their first World Cup since the fiesta hit Iberian shores in 1982, but before a ball is kicked, the all-important media rights are up for grabs.
MLS’s Philadephia Union under FIFA transfer ban for failing to pay training fee compensation
January 14 – Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise the Philadelphia Union has been slapped with a temporary transfer ban by FIFA.
FIFA makes temporary transfer rule change, but Fifpro objects
January 2 – FIFA has adapted its transfer regulations on an interim basis after the recent Lassana Diarra case described by some legal experts as Bosman Mark 2 – but accepts it could be open to immediate challenge.
Fox out in the cold as Netflix grab rights to 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups
December 23 – FIFA and Netflix have inked a deal for the exclusive rights in the US to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups, marking another significant streaming deal for a major tournament.