Pandemic forces postponement of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
By David Owen
March 24 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has finally bowed to the inevitable and postponed the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
World Tournaments
2023 Women’s World Cup bidders lobby for European backing
By Samindra Kunti in Amsterdam
March 3 – The bidding race for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is shifting gear. On the eve of the UEFA Congress in the Dutch capital, the four bids pitched their tournament plans to the European governing body’s Executive Committee.
FIFA scrutineers arrive in Antipodes for next leg of 2023 WWC bid inspection tour
February 11 – On the eve of the FIFA delegation’s on-the-ground inspection of Australia and New Zealand’s bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Football Federation Australia boss James Johnson has expressed his confidence in the Antipodean quest to co-host the tournament.
Brazil squeeze through qualifiers to defend Olympic title in Japan
February 10 – Defending champions Brazil have qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer after overcoming rivals Argentina 3-0 in a crunch qualifier. The Argentineans had already booked their ticket.
Gold Cup 2021 qualifiers see Trinidad, Guatemala and Haiti still battling for slots
January 30 – With 12 teams now qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup – the 16th edition of Concacaf’s blue riband national men’s team competition – the draw for the play-offs for the final four spots has been released. The deciders will be via elimination rounds in the March 2020 international window before a final round of play-offs in June 2020.
Concacaf unveil Guadalajara as host city for 8-team Tokyo 2020 qualifiers
August 22 – Concacaf have announced Guadalajara, Mexico, as the host venue for its men’s U-23 Championship, which will qualify two teams for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Belgian waffle: KBVB says it is not bidding for 2023 Women’s World Cup
August 20 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) has denied that it will bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup after FIFA announced that the Belgians had expressed an interest in staging the 32-team tournament.
US lines up bid for 2027 Women’s World Cup
August 16 – The United States will plan to bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, according to the president of US Soccer Carlos Cordeiro.
Aussies confirm they are still up for 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting
August 1 – Australia have been the first of the declared bidders for the hosting of the 2023 Women’s World Cup to reaffirm their interest in the expanded competition which is being put out to retender.
Chelsea-bound Pulisic proves his price tag for US at Gold Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
July 10 – Chelsea will be getting a humble, unselfish all-round player who will do everything for the team when €64 million US star Christian Pulisic joins up with the club following last weekend’s Gold Cup final.
Mexico end US dreams to secure Gold Cup title
USA 0 Mexico 1
By Paul Nicholson at Soldier Field, Chicago
July 7 – The dream of a ‘Super Sunday’ USA World Cup and Gold Cup double was shattered by Mexico in Chicago last night.
NextPlay roll-out shows why it is more than just a game
By Paul Nicholson at the CFIC Field, Chicago
July 7 – On Saturday morning, the day before the Gold Cup Final, the CIBC Fire Pitch – just south of Lincolnwood and a short hop to the Chicago Cub’s iconic Wrigley Field – was buzzing with kids and coaches taking part in Concacaf’s NextPlay initiative.
Berhalter and Martino are both going for Gold
By Paul Nicholson at Soldier Field, Chicago
July 6 – When the US and Mexico kick off the final of the Gold Cup Sunday night in Chicago the atmosphere is likely to be more like the Azteca than Chicago Field.
Mexico and US line up for Gold Cup’s game of thrones
July 5 – The Concacaf Gold Cup reaches its conclusion on Sunday with the two form teams of the competition, Mexico and USA, battling for the title at the sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago.
Concacaf to hold NextPlay grassroots event before Chicago final
July 5 – With the focus of attention in the Concacaf region firmly fixed on the Gold Cup final between Mexico and the US to be played this Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago, the confederation has taken the opportunity to roll out an edition of its NextPlay coach education programme in Chicago.