World Cup winner Lloris departs Spurs for LAFC
January 2 – France’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has joined Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur.
Saudi, Japanese and Korean clubs dominate last 16 of AFC Champions League
January 2 – While the focus of Asian football will be on the 2023 Asian Cup that kicks off January 12 in Qatar, the AFC’s Champions League 2023/24 has now reached the last 16 knockout stage with the draw having been held before the new year.
Ratcliffe and Ineos complete £1.03bn Man Utd buy-in and take control of operations
December 29 – The long-awaited sale of 25% of Manchester United to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group for £1.03 billion has been completed.
Orange renews CAF sponsorship through next two AFCON editions
January 2 – Telecom giant Orange has renewed its long-running sponsorship of the Confederation of African football (CAF) including through the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and adding the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Spanish FA partners with Stage Front to boost its national team hospitality experience
January 2 – US hospitality specialists Stage Front have been appointed as Official Global Event and Hospitality Partner of the Spanish National Team, which covers the World Champion women’s team as well as the men’s team that will be competing at this summer’s Euros in Germany.
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
Home to Al Duhail SC, this compact stadium previously hosted the semi-final of the 24th Gulf Cup.
Education City Stadium
Education City Stadium was opened in 2020 and hosted four matches at the FIFA Club World Cup including the final between FC Bayern Munich and Mexico’s UANL.
Al Janoub Stadium
Located in the southern city of Al Wakrah, the 40,000-capacity Al Janoub Stadium opened on May 16, 2019.
Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama, near the Hamad International Airport 12km south of Doha’s glittering skyline, was opened in October 2021.
Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium – Qatar’s national stadium – hosted the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2011.
Al Bayt Stadium
Al Bayt hosted the Opening Match of the 2022 World Cup and fixtures through to the semi-finals.
Lusail Stadium
The Lusail Stadium is the largest stadium in Qatar and was built for the 2022 World Cup, staging the final.
Jordan
This is Jordan’s fifth appearance in the last six editions of the Asian Cup.