December 16 – English FA president Debbie Hewitt has defended her organisation’s backing of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup, a decision that FIFA and its membership rubber-stamped last week.
December 16 – The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will close out 2024 at the summit of the FIFA world rankings, reclaiming their dominance after a turbulent year. The latest update, released on Friday, confirms their position ahead of reigning World Cup champions Spain, who remain in second place.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.