Americas 2026 World Cup chiefs cut host bids to 32 cities on route to final 12
October 5 – The list of potential host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been further trimmed, this time to 32.
Concacaf
CONCACAF sets up task force to help rebuild nations hit by hurricanes and earthquake
September 26 – CONCACAF has set up a Disaster Evaluation Taskforce to assess the impact of the natural disasters that have devastated the region in recent weeks.
Mexico suspends league as clubs open grounds to aid earthquake relief
September 22 – Mexican football is on a hold as domestic clubs have rallied to offer aid relief after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed more than 200 people and inflicted mass devastation in Mexico.
NASL hits US Soccer with antitrust suit as league fights for its life
September 20 – The fractious relationship between the North American Soccer League (NASL) and its national governing body, the US Soccer Federation (USSF) has boiled over with the NASL filing a federal antitrust lawsuit against the USSF in Brooklyn federal court.
Moggio makes the case for 2026, three host spots and an expanded Gold Cup
By Paul Nicholson at Soccerex, Manchester
September 5 – CONCACAF wants three automatic places at the 2026 World Cup if the US, Mexico and Canada bid wins the hosting rights, said general secretary Philippe Moggio (pictured right). He also said that the confederation’s blue riband Gold Cup may be expanded to 16 teams in future editions as well as potentially being hosted outside the US.
Vegas set to light up USL as league smashes attendance record
August 31 – Las Vegas’ new pro soccer team now has a name – Las Vegas Lights FC. The name was chosen via an online poll and emblazoned across the Fremont Street Experience LED Canopy.
Girondins women push into US with Olney development club
August 31 – The fashion for establishing club partners outside national domestic markets is catching on at all levels. French top tier women’s team Girondins de Bordeaux has signed a partnership Olney Girls 99 based in Washington, Maryland, forming Girondins de Bordeaux USA.
Fast growing USL shatters league attendance record with three months to go
August 24 – Just seven weeks into the 2017 United Soccer League (USL) season, the fast growing second-tier division in the US has announced record breaking attendances of more than 1.5 million, beating its 2016 total attendance, itself a record.
North America warms to 2026 World Cup bid with 46 cities hunting a piece of the action
August 18 – Thirty-four cities in the United States, seven in Canada and three in Mexico, in all encompassing 49 stadia, are on a list of proposed venues to host the 2026 World Cup, the United Bid Committee for the three prospective joint hosts has announced.
Las Vegas rolls the dice with new USL franchise for 2018
August 14 – Probably the worst kept secret of the USL, the second-tier of professional leagues in the US, has become official. Las Vegas will have a team playing in the 2018 competition.
USL adds new teams in Birmingham and Austin for 2019
August 11 –United Soccer League, the second tier of US professional football, has announced two new clubs in Birmingham, Alabama, and Austin, Texas, who will being playing in the 2019 season.
US law enforcers name Mexican captain Márquez as front for drug cartel
August 10 – Mexico’s national team captain Rafael Márquez has been sanctioned by the US treasury department for allegedly being a “front person” for a drug-trafficking cartel.
US club owners go to CAS demanding end to closed MLS league system
By Andrew Warshaw
August 4 – The closed shop system in the United States which prevents promotion and relegation has long been a source of controversy, but usually only outside the country where traditional fans are bemused by a practise that differs totally from the rest of the world.
Beckham edges closer to Miami MLS franchise after Chicago powwow with Garber
August 3 – After almost four years in the making, David Beckham’s dream of heading a new MLS team in Miami has moved a vital step closer to reality.
US ring the changes as Jamaica cash-in on short-changed Mexico to win Gold Cup final slots
July 24 – The US squad changes after the group stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup bore fruit at the weekend with the host country beating Costa Rica 2-0 to qualify for the final. In contrast, Mexico, who left a number of big names off their roster, crashed 1-0 in their semi-final against Jamaica.