Indonesia ready for global football spotlight as U17 World Cup set for Friday kick-off
November 7 – Indonesia will host their first world championship finals tournament with the men’s U-17 World Cup 2023 kicking off this Friday.
FIFA
Brazil submit bid for 2027 Women’s World Cup hosting
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
November 5 – Brazil have confirmed their bid for the 2027 Women’s World. Cup with the handover of a governmental declaration to FIFA by the minister of sport André Fufuca.
Infantino officially rubber stamps sole bidders for 2030 and 2034 World Cup finals
By Samindra Kunti
November 1 – With a decision that will reshape football’s pinnacle event, FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino officially confirmed 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 as the deadline for the submission of official bid letters of interest passed with no challengers.
Human rights groups shine ethics spotlight on FIFA’s award of 2034 sole bid status to Saudi Arabia
November 1 – Leading human rights activist group Human Rights Watch has accused FIFA of ignoring its own rules in the process of awarding the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.
Australia pull out of bidding for 2034 World Cup, leaving Saudi Arabia as sole candidate
October 31 – Australia have confirmed that they will not bid for the 2034 World Cup, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only host candidate for the finals as FIFA’s deadline for candidate countries to express interest in bidding for the 2034 tournament expired today.
FIFA issues Rubiales with 3-year ban from all football activity over Hermoso kiss
October 30 – FIFA has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities for three years following his ill-judged kiss of Spain’s Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup presentation ceremony on August.
Morocco-Portugal-Spain make 2030 bid official with promise of a world changing finals
By Paul Nicholson
October 29 – Having conducted a series of meetings in Portugal and Spain, the three joint bidding nations for the 2030 World Cup officially officially signed their letter confirming their interest to bid in Rabat. Morocco.
European Leagues boss critical of FIFA’s ghosting of professional game over calendar
October 27 – The head of the European Leagues, the umbrella body for leagues across the continent, has re-iterated criticism of football’s governing bodies – in particular FIFA – for failing to consult with his members over the expansion of the international calendar.
FIFA set to name 2026 finals host as New York and Dallas go head-to-head and Kroenke fumes
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – If the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026 matches the no-holds barred drama and competitiveness of the US cities battling in the high-stakes race to host the final, then it really could be a best-ever World Cup for FIFA.
Argentina keep hold of World Ranking top spot, Portugal move up within the top 10
October 27 – World champions Argentina remain top (1861 points) of the World Rankings after two wins from two in the second round of Conmebol World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as the Albiceleste cruised past Paraguay and Peru without conceding a goal.
Swiss investigators drop criminal investigation into Infantino and his secret meetings
October 26 – It was just the decision he had been waiting for and he milked it with all the self-congratulation he could muster.
Belgium, Netherlands and Germany launch joint WWC2027 bid promising ‘compactness’
By Samindra Kunti
October 25 – Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have promised one of the most “compact” tournaments yet in the race to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Argentina’s Gomez protests doping ban, blaming son’s cough medicine
October 23 – One of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad has been handed a two-year ban by FIFA for doping, blaming his failed test on taking his son’s cough medicine.
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.