United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates have reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup on the last two occasions and yet despite those results the Whites have never truly been considered a part of Asia’s elite.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan have been ever present in the tournament over the past eight editions and are the most successful side from Central Asia having qualified for every Asian Cup since the fall of the Soviet Union. Their most notable achievement was in 2011 when they reached the semi-finals.
Vietnam
With their fifth appearance in the Asian Cup, Vietnam are steadily emerged as a formidable force in football in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Man City turn on the style to thrash Fluminense and take Club World Cup title
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 22 — Manchester City cruised past Fluminense of Brazil 4-0 to win a maiden Club World Cup and conclude a spectacular 2023 with a fifth trophy.
Ceferin leads dismissals of European Super League as stakeholders reject A22’s Christmas carol
By Andrew Warshaw
December 22 – Not dissimilar to when the concept was first launched back in April 2021, Europe’s main football stakeholders, led by UEFA, have joined forces to denounce ambitious plans for a new version of the European Super League – even though the landscape has changed overnight.
A22 proposes three-tiered mid-week European league with 64 men’s teams
December 22 – Despite widespread condemnation, the sports development company behind a possible new European Super League, A22, has outlined its plans for the tournament following Thursday’s judgement by the European Court of Justice that UEFA’s rules restricting the creation of new competitions were unlawful.
Guardiola wary as Fluminense set to debut their new style on the catwalk of the CWC final
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 22 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is relishing the challenge of taking on Fluminense and their idiosyncratic style in the final of the Club World Cup as the European champions seek to wrap up their best year ever.
Panama and Moldova end year with highest moves up FIFA’s world ranking
December 22 – The FIFA men’s rankings have been nudged only slightly in the latest update, as OFC nations battle it out in the Pacific Games whilst the rest of the world remains focused on domestic leagues. Argentina remain on top.
AFC launches match predictor game for Asian Cup finals
December 22 – The Asian Football Confederation has introduced an all-new match predictor game ahead of the start of the Asian Cup next month, giving fans the chance to win prizes for guessing the correct scores for Asian Cup fixtures.
Norwegians slam FIFA’s 2034 World Cup award to Saudi as an untransparent fait accompli
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 22 – The Norwegian FA (NFF) has slammed FIFA’s bidding process for the 2034 World Cup, calling it a “foregone conclusion” and pointing at “a lack of transparency” in the decision making.
James Dostoyevsky: There is a case to suspend Israel from all football
For more than two months, the world has been watching with horror and incredulity how civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza.
Albania gives diplomatic passports to national team as reward for qualifying for Euro 2024
December 22 – The Albanian government has decided to reward all players and coaches of the Albanian national team with diplomatic passports.
AFC launches new reform initiative as exco recognises rise of Saudi and expresses Palestine solidarity
December 22 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced it will establish a new Reform Taskforce to continue and build on the reforms of 2016.
Dream Asia Foundation board notes impact across continent with focus on safeguarding
December 22 – The AFC has reaffirmed its commitment to expand its social development programmes via its Dream Asia Foundation aimed at empowering the continent’s most vulnerable communities.
European Court rules blocking of European Super League broke EU competition law
By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – In a bombshell decision that could have significant ramifications, the European Court of Justice ruled today that UEFA and FIFA broke EU competition rules by attempting to block the seemingly doomed breakaway Super League.