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.
FIFA
Lekjaa, Rocha and Gomez confirm their 2030 World Cup bid is following the program
October 19 – The three presidents of the Morocco, Portugal and Spain federations meeting in Lisbon and Madrid this week, have confirmed that they will submit their official letter of interest to joint host the 2030 World Cup on October 28.
Saudi 2034 support gathers momentum with 90+ FAs ‘buying’ into the programme
October 12 – Reports from Saudi Arabia are that about 90 countries have so far backed the kindgom’s candidacy to host the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi path to 2034 could face obstacle of Indonesia-Aussie-Malaysia-Singapore joint bid
October 11 – Saudi Arabia, looking to be a shoo-in to stage the 2034 World Cup now looks to have a potential rival in the bidding process.
Saudis deliver formal 2034 bid letter as nations rush to pledge their support
October 9 – Saudi Arabia have wasted no time submitting their formal letter of intent to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup today. Last week FIFA announced after that only nation from the AFC and OFC could bid for 2034.
Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2023 draw sees Brazil and Portugal matched in group stage
October 9 – The groups for the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 have been drawn following a ceremony at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai.
Political football: 2030 World Cup final hosting kicks off Spain or Morocco contest
October 6 – No sooner had FIFA awarded the bulk of 2030 World Cup hosting rights to Spain, Morocco and Portugal than the first two of them began squabbling over who would host the final.
Chile president tells FIFA it is not ‘serious’ after World Cup 2030 hosting snub
October 6 – Chile is up in arms after being snubbed as joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup by FIFA.
Infantino appoints from within as hard man Grafstöm takes over from Samoura
October 6 – Matthias Grafstöm of Sweden has become the new FIFA secretary general on an interim basis, making him, on paper, the second-most powerful man in the world football governing body.
FIFA rubber stamps UEFA’s decision to let Russian U17 teams back into competition
October 6 – With UEFA’s executive committee having voted to let Russia’s U17 national teams back into international competition last week, the FIFA Council has now followed suit and extended this decision to cover the U-17 World Cup and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
FIFA launches women’s futsal championship and expands U20 women’s finals
October 6 – FIFA has unveiled plans for a new women’s futsal tournament while expanding its existing women’s age-group competitions.
FIFA picks on Cotton Day to push economic inclusion agenda for African nations
October 6 – FIFA has turned the world spotlight on African cotton producers ahead of World Cotton Day to explore how football can help small producers in the Cotton 4 (plus) countries in Africa.
FIFA decisions put Saudi Arabia in pole position to win hosting of 2034 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
October 5 – Within minutes of FIFA opening up the 2034 World Cup solely to countries from Asia and Oceania, Saudi Arabia became the first to announce it will bid to host the tournament, confirming a long-established desire to stage the biggest footballing show on earth.
FIFA ‘pre-awards’ 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Spain and Portugal with a nod to South American roots
By Samindra Kunti
October 5 – With a decision that will reshape football’s pinnacle event, FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino revealed that the 2030 finals will be played in six countries on three continents with opening matches to be held in South America to celebrate the tournament’s centenary. The decision paved the way for Saudi Arabia to stage the finals in 2034.
Qataris build on 2022 legacy with Football for Schools seminar
October 3 – With the support of FIFA, the Football for Schools project has concluded in Qatar, with a seminar programme focussed on women in the sport.