Adidas gets Saudi Pro League official ball deal rolling
January 11 – Adidas has agreed a deal to become the official match ball supplier for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) from February until the end 2024/25 season.
Federations
Azadi stadium opened to Iranian women for Persepolis-Esteghlal
December 15 – Female fans in Iran have claimed a moral victory after being allowed to venture inside the Azadi Stadium in Tehran to attend Thursday’s eagerly anticipated clash between Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC.
Saudis recruit ex-Barca manager Lluis Cortes to lead women’s national team
December 12 – Former Barcelona and Ukraine manager Lluis Cortes has been appointed as Saudi Arabia women’s national team head coach.
Saudis will not just be building stadia for 2034, they are building cities to put them in
December 8 – Saudi Arabia, the only bid for the hosting of the 2034 World Cup, will have not only a new stadium but a whole new entertainment-focussed city to host matches at the finals.
Saudi Arabia build out women’s national teams with launch of U20s under Pauline Hamil
December 8 –Saudi Arabian focus may be on the hosting of their first major FIFA event starting next week – the 2023 Club World Cup – but the Kingdom has still found time to announce the launch of a Women’s U20 national team.
On back of U-17 success, Indonesia to jointly bid with Singapore for 2025 U-20 World Cup
December 4 – Indonesia wants to jointly stage the 2025 Under-20 World Cup with Singapore, despite being stripped of hosting rights to this year’s tournament.
Football Australia agree 10-year Nike extension
November 20 – Football Australia and Nike have agreed a ten-year contract extension that will keep the sportswear company as the official apparel partner for all Australian national teams, including the Subway Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, Junior, and Youth men’s and women’s squads, as well as the CommBank Pararoos, and CommBank ParaMatildas.
With 2034 off the table, Australia’s Johnson is looking to Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and 2029 CWC
November 16 – There has been plenty of comment around the short timelines given by FIFA to participate in the bidding for 2034 World Cup hosting and the process that led to them. But those who might have had an interest in getting involved appear to have quickly moved on.
Al-Ittihad sack Espírito Santo after superstar squad fails to deliver
November 8 – Al Ittihad have sacked former Spurs boss Nuno Espírito Santo after an underwhelming start to the season despite an influx of superstar summer signings.
Gerrard says Al-Ettifaq will recruit again from Europe when Winter window opens
November 6 – Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard says his Saudi Pro League side are ready to “scour Europe” when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Fowler fired from high flying Al-Qadsiah as country hunts for new women’s coach
October 27 – Ex-Liverpool and England star Robbie Fowler has been sacked from his position as head coach at Saudi second-tier side Al-Qadsiah, despite being unbeaten and having won manager of the month inside of his first eight games in charge.
Saudi head of women’s game, Monica Staab, suggests hosting bid for WWC 2035
October 20 – Having already all but been assured of the 2034 men’s World Cup, Saudi Arabia has now expressed an interest in staging the women’s version a year later.
CWC 2nd round of ticket sales opens with eyes on Saudi’s hosting capabilities
October 19 – FIFA have opened the second phase of ticket sales for the Club World Cup 2023, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi sports minister Bader Alkadi says sports investment is for the nation, not reputation
October 19 – Saudi Arabia’s vice-minister of sport has added his voice to countering critics who accuse the country of using its sovereign wealth fund to engage in “sportswashing” to deflect from its human rights record.
Saudi Arabia’s Alkassim says 2034 bid is priority and country can be ‘a force for good’
October 17 – The general secretary of the Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF), Ibrahim Alkassim, has reiterated his nation’s commitment to their 2034 FIFA World Cup bid, inspired by the growth of the Saudi Pro League alongside the success of the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar.
