Visa expands AFC partnership to major club competitions and 2026 qualifiers
February 4 – Visa has renewed and expanded its sponsor partnership with AFC to cover more of the confederation’s regions and competitions for the next two seasons.
Fox’s Tubi streaming service secures live rights for Concacaf Champions Cup games
February 4 – Streaming service Tubi, owned by Fox Corporation, is to become the exclusive home for the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico.
FIFA tells European Parliament to get back in line after their 2034 World Cup bid criticisms
February 3 – In a strongly worded letter, world governing body FIFA has rebuked criticism by Members of the European Parliament over the host award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Tebas launches blistering attacks against A22, Unify League, Perez and FIFA’s Club World Cup
February 3 – Outspoken Spanish league boss Javier Tebas (pictured) has launched another scathing attack on Real Madrid for backing a European Super League and warns against taking revised plans for the breakaway league lightly, saying it could do untold damage.
After ‘peace in our time’ Infantino love-in, trade war erupts between 2026 World Cup partners
February 3 – US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, prompting a trade war between the long-time allies and the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal, Bayern and PSG pressured over Visit Rwanda sponsorship as rebels lay waste to DRC
February 3 – The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain to end their “blood stained” sponsorship deals with Visit Rwanda because of the ongoing conflict in the region.
FIFA+ agrees broadcast distribution deal with UAE’s Evision
February 3 – Evision, the media and entertainment subsidiary of UAE mobile telecoms business e& (formerly Etisalat), has announced a strategic partnership with FIFA+ to bring the football-focused channel to STARZ ON, its free ad-supported streaming platform. This collaboration aims to enhance football content offerings in the MENA region by providing 24/7 access to premium FIFA programming at no cost.
Stones rollover to open window for Barca to keep playing at Olympic Stadium as Nou Camp return delayed
February 3 – Having been close to being without a home stadium with their return to Camp Nou delayed and the Olympic Stadium booked for other events, Barcelona have been granted a lifeline and have formally requested an extension to their stay at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium until the end of the season.
Bitpanda expands AC Milan sponsorship to back-of-shirt
February 3 – AC Milan have strengthened their ties with online trading platform Bitpanda, announcing an expanded partnership that will see the company’s logo feature on the back of the Rossoneri’s shirts with immediate effect.
Jhon Duran heads to Saudi to join Ronaldo, Benrahma loaned to Neom
February 3 – Colombia and Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran has departed the English Premier League for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in a reported £64 million deal.
MLS catches a cold over Open Cup fever
February 3 – In 2024, Major League Soccer (MLS) caused uproar in the US community as the league announced that all of its teams would not participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup due to fixture congestion. After negotiations in December 2023, MLS allowed eight clubs to compete along with nine MLS-affiliated MLS Next Pro teams.
Botev Plodiv’s Zingarevich still in dark over Bulgarian ban, but his club is thriving
February 2 – The Russian owner of Botev Plovdiv, Anton Zingarevich, said he has still not received any official explanation from the Bulgarian authorities about why he has been issued with a 10-year ban from residing in Bulgaria.
Adidas releases new €160 ball for Club World Cup
February 3 – You can’t play the ‘beautiful game’ without a ball, and the game is littered with iconic and controversial balls. The Adidas Telstar and tango from the 1970 and 1978 World Cups are still considered the crown jewels with football aficionados while the Adidas Jabulani from 2010 was described by Brazilian goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, as “a ball you buy in a supermarket”.
Atlanta warms up for 2026 with 500-day countdown, but before then it has a 6-match CWC schedule to deliver
February 3 – Atlanta, which has just completed the hosting of the College Football Playoff National Championship, has turned its attention to the 500-day countdown to the 2026 World Cup where it will host eight matches, including a semi-final.
‘The New Gaffer’ doc tells story of grassroots women’s hero
February 3 – Women’s football is perhaps the fastest growing sector within the game, and that theme looks set to continue now that East London Ladies FC and MOLO have teamed up to celebrate one woman’s impact on grassroots football over the last decade in their new documentary ‘The New Gaffer’.