USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
November 23 – Global governing body FIFA have wrapped up their inspection of candidate host cities for the 2026 World Cup with a final stop in Toronto, Canada. Next year, Zurich will select the final host cities for the tournament, the first global finals to be played in a 48-team format.
November 23 – On the eve of the Copa Libertadores final, Palmeiras have elected Leila Pereira as their new boss, the billionaire businesswoman becoming the first female president in the club’s history.
November 23 – FIFA has decided to ditch the two-legged format for the intercontinental playoffs in favour of single games at neutral venues in the race to secure the final spots at next year’s World Cup.
November 23 – FIFA have named their annual nominees for player of the year and it’s no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are once again in the running for the men’s award despite having a combined age of 70.
November 23 – Paris Saint-Germain and American Express have extended their sponsorship deal until 2024 with the payment services giant also backing the Ligue 1 club’s esports team.
November 23 – French second tier club Paris FC, who took a €5 million investment from the Bahrani royal family last year, has added a new investor in British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur Allirajah Subaskaran.
November 23 – Pep Guardiola might have the most expensively assembled squad in world football, but in the club’s last 42 games he has used just 25 players. In comparison over the same period Watford have used 42 players, Man Utd 32 and Liverpool 30.
November 23 – Italian train operator Trenitalia has signed a deal with Lega Serie A for the naming rights for the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – With global scrutiny of Qatar’s human rights record showing little respite, the public face of the 2022 World Cup, Hassan Al-Thawadi, says he hopes the tournament will help “wash away” stereotypical attitudes towards the country.
November 22 – The Europe-wide protests against new Covid restrictions have spilled over into football with Bayern Munich reportedly having informed their unvaccinated players that they will have their salaries cut during periods when they have to go into quarantine.
November 22 – Despite the usual pre-tournament noise, all systems are go for Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations. It has been a tournament that has been wobbling on the brink.
November 22 – Despite attempts by French football authorities to crack down on fan violence, yet another damaging incident hit the country’s top-flight league on Sunday when the Lyon-Marseille fixture was abandoned after Marseille forward Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands a few minutes after kick off.
November 22 – The AFC’s executive committee has formalised the transition to its new AFC ENHANCE strategy and platform for member associations that will see them eligible for $2 million over a four-year cycle.
November 22 – Qatar has completed the build of Stadium 974, the latest of its 2022 World Cup stadia to be declared tournament ready.
November 22 – The fast expanding but loosely regulated cryptocurrency business which has seen blockchain-based firms surge into the football partnership and sponsorship market has taken a major reputational hit with both Barcelona and Manchester City ending deals.