December 18 – The first edition of the expanded Club World Cup will be staged from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States but the world players union Fifpro has slammed FIFA’s decision.
December 16 – World champions Spain have secured the top spot in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings for the first time, knocking off ranking leaders Sweden who themselves had only had a short time at the top after displacing the USA in August. The US had held an unbroken six year run at the top.
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 17 – African champions Al Ahly from Egypt eliminated hosts Al-Ittihad from the Club World Cup with a resounding 3-1 win to set up a semi-final against Brazil’s Fluminense. Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds complete the last-four line-up and will face Manchester City.
December 15 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2030 and 2034 World Cup bidding processes as “the best FIFA can do for football, covering the entire world in only eight years”.
December 15 – FIFA and Panini have extended their long-standing licensing and sponsorship partnership in a deal which will see the global brand remain FIFA’s exclusive partner for official stickers, trading cards, trading-card games and digital collectibles.
December 15 – FIFA has announced the final nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards ahead of the 2023 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards ahead of the ceremony next month.
December 15 – Player agents fees reached a record $881.million in 2023, a massive 42.5% increase in the $623.2 million paid to agents in 2022. The previous record for agents fees was set in 2019 ($654.7 million).
December 14 – FIFA’s top refereeing administrator, former World Cup official Pierluigi Collina (pictured), has hit out at last Monday’s attack on Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler that made global headlines.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 13 – Once among the most vocal critics of labour conditions in the host country of the 2022 World Cup, European football associations have generally failed in their promises to follow up on the legacy of the tournament in Qatar.
December 13 – The FIFA Museum has bolstered its showcase line-up after acquiring nearly 400 objects from the Women’s World Cup 2023.
December 13 – FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards ahead of the 2023 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards ahead of the ceremony next month.
December 12 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino said there is “no hiding place” for those who abuse players and officials online, after FIFA and FIFPRO’s collaborative report on the Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 revealed it succeeded in protecting almost 700 players and coaches from online abuse during the tournament.
December 11 – FIFA has received three bids to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the global governing body confirmed Saturday.
December 7 – FIFA considered a longer ban than the three-year sanction it imposed on disgraced former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales for kissing Spanish World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
