FIFA boosts 2018 initial squad selection rules from 30-35 players, final squads still at 23
February 9 – FIFA has increased the number of players that coaches can select in their initial World Cup squads from 30 to 35.
News
2026 World Cup in North America would generate $5bn in economic activity, says report
February 9 – An economic impact report on the potential hosting of the 2026 World Cup in the three North American markets of Canada, Mexico and the US, reckons the event would create $5 billion in economic activity and a net benefit of $3-4 billion after taking out potential public costs.
2019 Women’s World Cup schedule agreed with kick off in Paris and final in Lyons
February 9 – FIFA has agreed the match schedule for the Women’s World Cup France 2019 which will see the competition open in Paris on June 7 with the final in Lyons, the hotbed of French and European women’s club football, on July 7.
Exclusive: FIFA Medical Committee acts on goalkeeper aggression
By David Owen
February 9 – FIFA is moving closer to taking action on overly aggressive play by goalkeepers. The organisation’s Medical Committee this week decided to send what chairman Michel D’Hooghe describes as a “strong” letter on the issue to colleagues on the Referees’ Committee.
Russia sues stadium builders for $50m over missed construction schedules
February 8 – Russia’s Sports Ministry is suing companies building World Cup stadiums for 2.9 billion rubles ($50.8 million) over delays in constructions schedules.
Man City broker new sponsorship with AvaTrade for Asia and Latin America
February 8 – Manchester City has signed a new multi-year regional partnership with online trading broker AvaTrade who will become the club’s Official Online Trading Partner for China, Asia and Latin America.
Ghana football in chaos as injunction halts Congress and delays season
By Mark Baber
February 8 – Football in Ghana, including the Ghana Premier League, First Division and the Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been put on hold as Accra Great Olympics, one of the teams relegated at the end of last season, won an injunction on Monday delaying kick off of the new season until their appeal against relegation is heard.
Qatar’s $575m Al-Wakrah Stadium on course for end 2018 opening
February 8 – The 2022 World Cup venue designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid will be finished by the end of 2018, according to those responsible for the project.
Coca-Cola make eCopa a grassroots qualifier for FIFA eWorld Cup 2018
February 8 – Coca-Cola has announced that its eCOPA Coca-Cola tournament will be an official EA Sports FIFA 18 Global Series qualifier event as part of ‘The Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018’ that will be played in August.
Out in the cold: Rosell suffers in prison in freezing conditions and near solitary confinement
February 8 – How are the mighty fallen. As a former president of Barcelona and a key figure in the European Clubs Association, Sandro Rosell was used to the high life. Not any longer.
Exclusive: FIFA step in at CAF congress to gag Morocco 2026 from showcasing bid
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – FIFA’s obsessive attempt to ensure the 2026 World Cup bid process is fair and clean has blown up in its face following the revelation that Morocco was gagged from making a presentation to its own African region last week.
Spain’s MediaPro secure Serie A TV rights in €1.05bn deal
February 7 – Italy’s Serie A has accepted Spanish’s MediaPro offer for rights to broadcast matches for the 2018-21 seasons at just above €1.05 billion.
FC Tuscon and South Georgia Tormenta are first franchises for USL’s new Division III
By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The fledgling third tier professional division of US football – USL Division III has named FC Tucson as the second fanchise, following the announcement last week of South Georgia Tormenta FC as the first founder member of the league scheduled to kick off in 2019.
PepsiCo renews for a second 3-year cycle of UEFA Champions League sponsorship
February 6 – PepsiCo have renewed their sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League for a second three-year cycle taking them from the start of the 2018/19 until 2021. The deal also includes sponsorship of the UEFA Super Cup in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
FIFA sends mission to Spain to discuss life post-Villar and government interference
By Andrew Warshaw
February 6 – Pressure is mounting on Spanish authorities to sort out the aftermath of veteran powerbroker Angel Villar’s demise after yet another intervention by FIFA.