FIFA Best awards programmed for January in London
December 11 – London will host The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 on January 15, 2024.
FIFA
Did Rubiales get off lightly? FIFA publishes reasoned decision for 3-year sanction
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.
Infantino hobnobs on climate change at Cop28 before clocking up 31,404km on his private jet
December 5 – On the sidelines of Cop28, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that the global governing body cares about climate change, though he has come under increasing criticism for his own carbon footprint.
FIFA Foundation highlights World AIDS Day with Rumah Cemara friendly before U17 final
December 5 – In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the FIFA Foundation partnered with Perkumpulan Rumah Cemara to orchestrate a friendly match in Bandung in an effort to raise awareness for the Indonesia Without Stigma campaign.
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.
Germany beat France on penalties to win U-17 World Cup
December 4 – Germany have won the U-17 World Cup for the first time, and in doing so defeated France for the second time in a major final this year after penalties.
Player agents win UK court case that scuppers FIFA’s new rules and protects big money transfer fees
December 1 – A court has ruled that FIFA’s new agency rules cannot be legally applied in the UK, putting the global rollout of the rules in their current into question. FIFA could end up shelving them completely while they lick their wounds from the legal loss.
Infantino tells EBU members they need to pay more for women’s TV rights
December 1 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stressed the need for broadcasters to pay “a fair price” for the commercial rights to women’s football.
South Africa withdraw 2027 Women’s World Cup bid to focus on 2031
November 30 – South Africa have dropped out of the race for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, reducing the bidding field to three bids. The Africans want to focus on landing the 2031 finals.
France pressure Argentina at top of World ranking, Brazil drop again, England back in top 3
November 30 – The FIFA world rankings have seen a reshuffle after the November international break, as Leo Messi’s Argentina remains top of the pile thanks to a 0-1 victory away against arch-rivals Brazil, despite losing its unbeaten streak in a 0-2 home defeat against Uruguay a week prior.
DBU turns spotlight on FIFA to ensure host nations respect human rights
November 29 – The Danish FA (DBU) has said that in the future the organisation will direct their criticism toward FIFA and not host countries of the World Cup in a bid to hold the world federation more accountable.
PFA pleads for FIFA to condemn Gaza Strip ‘genocide’ and champion the human rights enshrined in its statutes
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – In an open letter to FIFA and its member associations, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) has asked for FIFA’s “assistance” in seeking to uphold and safeguard human rights in the Gaza strip.
France and Germany beat Mali and Argentina to qualify for U-17 World Cup final in Jakarta
November 28 – France or Germany will win the U-17 World Cup after they eliminated Mali and Argentina in the semi-finals of the tournament. The match will be a repeat of the U-17 European Championship final last June.
Argentina, Germany, France and Mali qualify for U-17 World Cup semi-finals
November 27 – Argentina eliminated defending champions Brazil from the U-17 World Cup with a thumping 3-0 win. Germany, France and Mali complete the semi-final lineup.
FIFA land Qatar Airways sponsorship through to 2030
November 22 – FIFA have extended their partnership with Qatar Airways until 2030, the world governing body confirmed on Wednesday.