By Paul Nicholson
November 16 – This week FIFA’s inspectors resume their whistle-stop tour of cities bidding to be host venues for the 2026 World Cup, starting in Edmonton, Canada. It is a hugely important moment for this football city, but before they roll out the red carpet for the FIFA team, they have a more pressing football engagement.
November 15 – South African officials suspect match-fixing was at play in Sunday’s crunch 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ghana and want FIFA and the Confederation of African Football to investigate the conduct of the officials.
November 15 – On a night of high drama, Serbia and Croatia booked automatic places in next year’s World Cup finals on Sunday, condemning Portugal and Russia to the playoffs.
November 15 – Goals from Chelsea star Christian Pulisic and Juventus’ Weston McKennie saw the US take control of Concacaf’s final group stage of 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over rivals Mexico.
November 12 – Brazil have become the first South American country to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a 1-0 victory against Colombia to maintain their proud record of having participated in every single World Cup.
November 12 – Russia and Croatia each recorded big wins in World Cup qualifying Thursday to set up a weekend winner-takes-all encounter for an automatic spot at next year’s tournament.
November 11 – The general secretary of the Canadian FA, Peter Montopoli, is leaving to become chief operating officer of his country’s co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup with the USA and Mexico.
November 1 – Qatar 2022 organisers have signed an agreement with Accor to manage accommodation operations and deliver services throughout the FIFA World Cup 2022.
October 29 – The head of the Norwegian financial crime unit has said that the country should boycott the 2022 World Cup because of the corruption that led to Qatar being awarded the hosting rights.
October 27 – Global provider of agriculture products UPL Ltd has become a regional supporter of the 2022 World Cup.
October 26 – The eagerly anticipated 12-team European playoffs to decide who joins the 10 qualifying group winners at the World Cup in Qatar will be made on November 26.
October 26 – Chinese dairy product giant Mengniu, has signed up for its second World Cup partnership, becoming an Official Sponsor of Qatar 2022.
October 25 – Qatar has inaugurated a fifth World Cup venue with Al Sadd defeating Al Rayyan from the penalty spot in the final of the Amir Cup at the Al Thumama stadium.
By Paul Nicholson
October 19 – Football in Canada is crossing a threshold. With a Gold medal at the Olympics for the women’s team and the men’s team showing they are real contenders for a 2022 World Cup slot, there is a positivity you can almost touch coming from the country that so often lives in the sporting shadow of the US, and, in football terms, Mexico.
October 19 – 2026 World Cup bid city Houston has launched plans for a Soccer Innovation Institute as part of its Spirit of Houston campaign and legacy programme.