Messi builds his off-field empire with market listing of property business
January 3 – Money seems to come as easy to Lionel Messi as scoring goals in the MLS.
Argentina FA adds BGH to sponsorship roster through 2026 World Cup
January 2 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced a new regional sponsorship agreement with air conditioning company BGH, marking another strategic partnership as the national team gears up for the 2026 World Cup.
New Zealand FA builds grassroots links with Māori Football Aotearoa
January 2 – New Zealand Football (NZF) have partnered with Māori Football Aotearoa to support the development of the game.
FIFA makes temporary transfer rule change, but Fifpro objects
January 2 – FIFA has adapted its transfer regulations on an interim basis after the recent Lassana Diarra case described by some legal experts as Bosman Mark 2 – but accepts it could be open to immediate challenge.
Saudi Arabia to host 2026 Gulf Cup
January 2 – Adding another tournament to a busy decade of football events, Saudi Arabia will host the 2026 Gulf Cup.
Amsterdam court jails four for anti-semitic violence at Ajax-Israel’s Maccabi Tel-Aviv
January 2 – Four men have been given jail sentences by an Amsterdam district court for violence around a Europa League match between Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel-Aviv in November.
Former Russian defender Aleksei Bugayev killed fighting in Ukraine
January 2 – Aleksei Bugayev, a former member of Russia’s national team who played at Euro 2004, has been killed in the war in Ukraine, Russian media quoted his father and agent as saying.
Big spending Saudi Pro League shifts club transfer window priorities
January 2 – The Saudi Pro League (SPL) says it is gearing up for the 2024/25 winter transfer window with a sharper focus on youth development, having promised less headline-grabbing activity as clubs face strict transfer quotas with one eye on fostering homegrown talent ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Match day 19: Hammers nail season’s lead at top of capacity table
January 2 – The Premier League closed out the year with another strong attendance showing, leaving just 6,000 seats empty across 10 matches – a score significantly above the seasonal average. Four clubs hit the coveted 99% capacity mark, equalling the record for most clubs in this range during a single gameweek.
Arise Sir Gareth
January 2 – Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been given a knighthood in the UK’s annual New Year Honours list.
West Ham fundraiser raises £60k for NHS charities
January 2 – West Ham United are set to donate nearly £60,000 to NHS charities and Air Ambulance UK following an auction of match-worn items from their recent Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Souloukou rejoins Marinakis at high flying Nottingham Forest
January 2 – Lina Souloukou will take over as the new CEO of Nottingham Forest on January 5, the Premier League club have confirmed.
AFC opens 2025 with unveiling of new logo and pledge to be bigger, better and stronger
December 31 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has opened 2025 with a new look, unveiling a reworked logo and brand identity.
USA preview and roster
There have only been three editions of the Concacaf Nations Leagues and the USA has won every won. Under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, nothing less than a fourth title will be acceptable.
Panama preview and roster
Panama qualified for the final four with a quarter final win over arch rivals Costa Rica, beating them 1-0 away from home and drawing 2-2 in Panama. This is their third appearance at the Nations League finals.