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,
February 13 – There will be no alcohol available at the 2034 Saudi World Cup, according to the country’s ambassador to the UK, who confirmed that the rule would be even more strictly imposed than at the tournament in Qatar three years ago.
February 13 – Everton sponsor and gambling company Stake is set to lose its UK licence following an investigation over a social media post featuring an adult actress.
February 13 – FIFA has suspended a British staffer following a report that federal agents in the USA had arrested him for alleged sex with a minor. The Miami Herald claimed Jack Coles met a 14-year-old boy for sex at a hotel when he was in the city on business last year, according to court records.
February 13 – Former DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu has waded into the debate over football clubs sponsoring Visit Rwanda by calling on them to reconsider the partnership.
February 13 – Adana Demirspor’s board of directors have turned down the resignation of club president Bedirhan Durak (pictured), who quit after the Turkish side walked off the pitch during their Super Lig clash against Galatasaray at the weekend, causing the game to be abandoned.
February 13 – Bayern Munich fans have accused FIFA of “selling hot air” after the world federation introduced cheaper tickets for Club World Cup fixtures.
German media outlet Sportschau reports that there was a catch to FIFA’s offer of cheaper seats: fans who had previously acquired expensive tickets were faced with high cancellation fees to exchange for lower priced options.
February 13 – A late penalty from the boot of Gustaf Nilsson secured a 2-1 win for Club Brugge in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Atalanta.
February 13 – For the next three weeks, the fairgrounds at Coachella Valley in Southern California will host the best of Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as the two leagues use friendly matches to shake the rust out of the legs.
February 13 – Major League Soccer (MLS) have announced a multi-year partnership with Century 21 Real Estate LLC, making the real estate company the ‘Official Real Estate Service Partner’ of MLS, the MLS All-Star game, and the MLS Cup.
February 13 – Sports integrity group SIGA has launched its SIGAWomen Council, dedicated to promoting gender equity and female leadership in sport.
February 12 – Disgraced former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales came out fighting at his trial on Tuesday, telling the court he was “absolutely sure” Jenni Hermoso gave her consent to his kiss on her lips that sparked global outrage.
Rubiales was forced to resign in 2023 after kissing Hermoso following Spain’s triumph at the Women’s World Cup in Australia.
February 12 – FIFA has been plunged into scandal following a report that federal agents in the USA have arrested one of the organisation’s executives for alleged sex with a minor.
February 12 – LaLiga has stepped up its ongoing war with Real Madrid by lodging a formal complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in response to the club’s open letter condemning the current refereeing system as “completely discredited” and vulnerable to “manipulation and tampering”.
February 12 – A month ago EA Sports was facing serious concerns about its grip on the football gaming industry. A 17% drop in its stock price, a downgraded fiscal forecast, and underwhelming early performance from EA Sports FC 25 raised doubts about whether the company’s dominance in the market was beginning to slip.
February 12 – Guatemala will host the inaugural Concacaf W Futsal Championship from April 29 to May 4 at the Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City. The tournament will serve as the qualifier for the Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines later this year.