Belgium score Xmas hat-trick at top of World Rankings
December 10 – Belgium have topped the world ranking for a third consecutive year to become the FIFA team of the year, the world governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA
Infantino tells AFC members CWC in China will be best club competition ever
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that the new 24-team format Club World Cup, when it eventually holds its first edition “in China, will be the best club competition in the world.”
Record entrants for FIFAe Club World Cup
December 8 – FIFA is reporting a record 480 teams entered into its FIFAe Club Series, a 150% increase on last season.
News analysis: A year overflowing with Club World Cups
By Paul Nicholson
December 7 – Somewhat incredibly, perhaps incredulously, the much derided and unloved Club World Cup (at least by Europe’s clubs and more recently by FIFA itself), has survived to see another day, in fact two more days, in its current 7-team format.
No return: Infantino defends VAR saying people, not tech, are the problem
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has leapt to the defence of VAR amid the chaos and confusion over marginal offside decisions and penalised accidental handballs that many feel are ruining the game as a spectacle.
FIFA finds calendar space to squeeze in two editions of its Club World Cup in 2021
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – The Club World Cup, which many assumed would be a thing of the past in its current anachronistic guise following its next edition in Qatar in February, is being continued by FIFA with Gianni Infantino declaring the importance of defending the interests of the “global” club game.
Wales’ Laura McAllister bids for seat at world football’s top table
December 3 – Former Wales captain Laura McAllister looks set to become one of the most powerful women in world and European football.
Blatter and Platini re-targeted as Swiss judiciary focus back on the CHF2m payment
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – With the five-year case against them by Swiss prosecutors seemingly going nowhere, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are under investigation for yet more alleged misdemeanours, this time for “fraud” and “breach of trust”.
Belgium extend lead at top of World Rankings, Brazil close gaps
November 27 – After a dark summer with almost no international football played, Autumn has brought some light with 160 full internationals played in November that in turn have impacted FIFA’s rankings.
AFC-FIFA safeguarding webinar pilots roll-out to other MAs
November 27 – The AFC-FIFA Safeguarding Orientation Webinar saw more than 100 participants from 46 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations participate this week.
FIFA confirms Arab Cup as Qatar 2022 warm-up event
November 25 – FIFA has confirmed that the Arab Cup tournament, announced in June, will act as the official warm-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Arab Cup will be played in December next year, featuring 22 nations from Africa and Asia.
Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais stars dominate FIFA’s Best award nominations
November 25 – FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for seven of the individual trophies that will be presented at its Best Football Awards ceremony on December 17. Two expert panels – one for men and one for women’s football, have selected the candidates for each category.
FIFA, WHO, EC and European Parliament Sports Group renew #SafeHome campaign
November 25 – On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, FIFA has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission and the European Parliament Sports Group to raise awareness of domestic violence.
IFAB backs concussion subs but still seeks clarity on handball and offside
November 24 – Two expert panels that advise football’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have backed the idea of additional concussion substitutes plus a clarification of the handball law which has caused such angst throughout the season.
FIFA opens door for return of noisy Trinidad and Tobago to world football
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – FIFA has lifted the suspension of the Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) and re-instated its three-person Normalisation Committee to run the local association.