World Football Archives - Inside World Football

Excluded by FIFA, European Leagues build EU political alliance

June 20 – Increasingly sidelined and excluded by FIFA in discussions concerning the international calendar and how it impacts the operations and financial structures of domestic leagues in Europe, the European Leagues organisation has instead moved closer to the European Union in a move to help protect the Europe’s football eco-system.

European Leagues president Claudius Schäfer, vice-president Mathieu Moreuil, and general secretary Alberto Colombo met today (Friday) with Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Youth,

Gold Cup 2025

Passion meets pragmatism in Austin as Panama secure QF spot

Guatemala 0-1 Panama:

June 20 – Friday night at Q2 Stadium bore no resemblance to the venue that hosted football just 24 hours earlier. The transformation was complete, and the catalyst was simple: unbridled passion provided by the hordes of Guatemala supporters who descended on Austin. Stark contrast to the lack of interest shown by US fans on Thursday.

Gold Cup 2025

Jamaica hold on to beat Guadeloupe but every little thing is not alright

Jamaica 2 Guadeloupe 1

June 20 – Jamaica picked up their first three points and kept their hopes of progression to the knockout rounds alive. But it was not without a chaotic finale where they looked to be throwing everything away against a Guadeloupe team that stuck to their task.

Gold Cup 2025

No more Mr Guy: Marsch respects disciplinary process as he embeds culture of ruthlessness in Canada

June 20 – Under fire Canada coach Jesse Marsch who is facing disciplinary action following his behaviour at Canada’s opening game of the Gold Cup, said “there’s a process in place and I respect that”.

Europe

Aivar Pohlak fights off challenge to retain Estonian FA presidency

June 20 – Aivar Pohlak has been re-elected as the president of the Estonian FA, defeating former Liverpool player Ragnar Klavan.

Africa

Somalia prepares ground for Beach Soccer’s competitive debut

June 19 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has launched training programs for beach soccer coaches and referees under its REACH Initiative, aimed at getting the ball rolling in all corners of the country which is now preparing for its first ever beach soccer tournament.

Gold Cup 2025

Unconvincing but into next round. USA dispatch Saudi Arabia, just

USA 1 Saudi Arabia 0

June 19 – American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.

Gold Cup 2025

Triumph and disaster as 10-man Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago battle to a draw

Haiti 1 Trinidad and Tobago 1

June 19 – Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago delivered 90 minutes of full-blooded football on a steaming hot, late afternoon in Houston at the Shell Energy Stadium battling to a draw that keeps them both in with a chance of making it into the knockout round.

Europe

Bulgarian Football Union joins Scouty.bg platform to enhance development

June 19 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) has signed a cooperation agreement with the online platform Scouty.bg. The web-based forum enables players to create professional profiles, showcasing their skills, sharing matches, and displaying various performance statistics and achievements.

Europe

Manchester United fans decry another ticket price increase despite “disaster” season

June 19 – Just when you thought the Glazers couldn’t find new ways to squeeze every last penny out of Manchester United’s supporters, along comes a substantial increase in ticket prices for high-profile fixtures.

Gold Cup 2025

El Tri’s home away from home

Mexico 2-0 Suriname:

June 18 – The Mexican national team is perhaps the only country in world football that plays home matches in two countries. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is, of course, their spiritual home; however, in Los Angeles – where they roared to victory over the Dominican Republic – and tonight in the heart of Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus Suriname, the team is welcomed by partisan support and rapturous anticipation.

Gold Cup 2025

Costa Rica squeeze past Dominican Republic into next round

Costa Rica 2 Dominican Republic 1

June 28 – Picture this: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, a gleaming, cavernous, colossus of modern architecture, standing like a metallic monument to American excess. With its 80,000-seat capacity echoing like a vast, empty cathedral, barely 3,000 souls scattered across its bowels at kickoff. It didn’t matter.

Gold Cup 2025

Marsch and CSA under investigation for breaking suspension rules and abusing officials

June 18 – Having thumped Honduras 6-0 last night in Vancouver and riding the high of becoming one of the favourites for the Gold Cup, today the Canadians are facing the low further disciplinary sanctions against their coach Jesse Marsch.

Competitions

UEFA draws ties for Champions League qualifiers that kick off early July

June 18 – The road to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League officially got underway on Tuesday, with 28 clubs learning their fate in the first qualifying round draw held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

Europe

Charai and Hubert in at Belgium’s Westerloo and OH Leuven

June 18 –Belgium’s Pro League clubs are ringing the management changes with Issame Charai replacing Timmy Simons as manager of Westerloo, while at OH Leuven, David Hubert (pictured centre) succeeds Chris Coleman.