USA 1 Saudi Arabia 0
June 19 – American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15 pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.
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”.
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.
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’.
January 31 – In a potential breakthrough move, representatives of the world players’ union Fifpro are reported to have met with FIFA over the packed fixture calendar that has led to the threat of strike action.
January 31 – Manchester City will face defending champions Real Madrid. The top two UEFA-ranked teams will come head-to-head much earlier than most expected, after each club failed to make the top eight during Wednesday’s group stage climax.
January 31 – Spanish star player Aitana Bonmati has said that playing in Saudi Arabia would make her “uncomfortable” because of gender inequality.
January 31 – With the current player transfer window set to close next week, FIFA has released its 2024 FIFA Global Transfer Report that highlights a staggering volume of player movement across world football.
January 31 – Following the termination of his contract with Saudi club Al Hilal, Brazil star Neymar will return to his first club Santos in what is being reported as a short-term deal.
January 31 – Online bookmaker Betano will be the headline sponsor of Brazil’s Super Cup, the season’s curtain-raiser between Flamengo and Botafogo.
January 31 – After a dismal run of results, former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has left his role as manager of Saudi club Al Ettifaq by mutual consent.
January 31 – Premier League Chelsea have signed a multi-year deal with crypto sportsbook Roobet, naming it the club’s official regional betting partner for Latin America and Canada.
January 31 – Player welfare is perhaps the biggest issue facing the elite of world football. With the 2026 World Cup scheduled during the height of the American summer, researchers are looking at the potential dangers players might face with extreme heat.
January 31 – The Canadian Premier League has signed a multi-year deal with WeatherTech Canada, which will see the company become its Official Automotive Accessories Partner.
January 31 – The NWSL in the US has officially named Denver, Colorado, as the league’s 16th franchise. Denver will begin play in the 2026 season.
January 31 – The MLS’s groundbreaking 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Apple is starting to show cracks after just two seasons, with not even Lionel Messi driving the subscriber growth that was predicted for the streaming service both within the US and internationally.