Pachuca beat Al Ahly on penalties to set up Real Madrid final
December 16 – Mexico’s Pachuca will play Real Madrid in the final of the Intercontinental Cup after defeating Egypt’s Al Ahly in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
FIFA
European draw for 2026 group qualifying sees England rematched with Serbia
December 13 – Thomas Tuchel’s first official duty as England’s new head coach was to see his team drawn in a 2026 World Cup qualifying group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra today.
Saudi Arabia will cover up its reality to west in run-up to 2034, claims rights activist
December 13 – Fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” during the tournament and will not see what really goes on behind the scenes, according to a Saudi rights activist living in the UK.
Conmebol adds Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying tournament to calendar
December 13 – Following in the footsteps of Europe, South America will stage a standalone qualifying tournament for the Women’s World Cup, the region’s governing body Conmebol confirmed on Thursday.
FIFA’s 2034 award makes a mockery of its own rules and marks a dangerous moment, says joint statement
December 12 – In a joint statement, 22 organisations from human rights bodies to trade unions and fan groups, have condemned FIFA’s award of 2034 World Cup hosting to Saudi Arabia saying that it “marks a moment of great danger”.
Fuelling the fire: Environmentalists say FIFA’s Saudi 2034 decision puts greed before the planet
December 12 – Environmental groups and activist player David Wheeler have condemned FIFA for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s leading polluters.
Botafogo’s bubble bursts as Mexico’s Pachuca knock them out of Intercontinental Cup
December 12 – Following the highs of a league and Libertadores double, Botafogo were stunned by Concacaf champions Pachuca 3-0 to exit the FIFA Continental Cup at the first hurdle.
AFC’s Shaikh Salman says Saudi 2034 will leave a lasting legacy for world football
December 12 – AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia on being confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup saying he was confident that the country would leave a lasting legacy, not just in Asia but within the wider football world.
FIFA’s federations clap through 6-nation 2030 bid and Saudi Arabia to 2034 World Cup hosting
December 11 – The formality is now reality. At a virtual meeting of FIFA member federations today and despite widespread human rights concerns, Saudi Arabia were officially granted 2034 World Cup host status by acclamation while 2030 went to six nations across three Continents in the most contentious and murky bidding process in recent history.
FIFA sets dates and confederation qualifying slots for 2027 WWC in Brazil
December 11 – The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be played from 24 June to 25 July that year, world governing body FIFA confirmed on Tuesday following a meeting of its Council.
FIFA paying Miami school fees for its $4.67m president’s daughter
December 11 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has evaded criminal prosecution in Switzerland after public prosecutor investigations were withdrawn after months of investigations, is now under pressure in his home country for the expenses he draws from FIFA.
Norwegians slam World Cup ‘fix’ and question whether FIFA is fit for purpose
December 11 – The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) and its president Lise Klaveness have blasted FIFA and its World Cup plans, arguing that “the bidding process undermines good governance and reform”.
Insiders say FIFA could keep Club World Cup in US for 2029 edition
December 11 – With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup slowly gaining traction, in large part due to broadcaster, DAZN, and their free-to-air deal, Gianni Infantino is considering taking the tournament back to the United States for 2029, according to sources familiar with the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
UN human rights chief tells FIFA it must keep human rights top of its World Cup agenda
December 10 – On the eve of FIFA officially naming Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup, the United Nations’ chief human rights official has waded into the controversy.
Swiss FA to back FIFA’s Saudi 2034 motion but calls for independent human rights monitoring
December 10 – On the eve of FIFA’s extraordinary congress, the Swiss FA (SFV) has confirmed they will back the Saudi bid for the 2034 World Cup, but demand human rights must be monitored by both FIFA and the ILO.