Jhon Duran heads to Saudi to join Ronaldo, Benrahma loaned to Neom
February 3 – Colombia and Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran has departed the English Premier League for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in a reported £64 million deal.
News
MLS catches a cold over Open Cup fever
February 3 – In 2024, Major League Soccer (MLS) caused uproar in the US community as the league announced that all of its teams would not participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup due to fixture congestion. After negotiations in December 2023, MLS allowed eight clubs to compete along with nine MLS-affiliated MLS Next Pro teams.
Botev Plodiv’s Zingarevich still in dark over Bulgarian ban, but his club is thriving
February 2 – The Russian owner of Botev Plovdiv, Anton Zingarevich, said he has still not received any official explanation from the Bulgarian authorities about why he has been issued with a 10-year ban from residing in Bulgaria.
Adidas releases new €160 ball for Club World Cup
February 3 – You can’t play the ‘beautiful game’ without a ball, and the game is littered with iconic and controversial balls. The Adidas Telstar and tango from the 1970 and 1978 World Cups are still considered the crown jewels with football aficionados while the Adidas Jabulani from 2010 was described by Brazilian goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, as “a ball you buy in a supermarket”.
Atlanta warms up for 2026 with 500-day countdown, but before then it has a 6-match CWC schedule to deliver
February 3 – Atlanta, which has just completed the hosting of the College Football Playoff National Championship, has turned its attention to the 500-day countdown to the 2026 World Cup where it will host eight matches, including a semi-final.
‘The New Gaffer’ doc tells story of grassroots women’s hero
February 3 – Women’s football is perhaps the fastest growing sector within the game, and that theme looks set to continue now that East London Ladies FC and MOLO have teamed up to celebrate one woman’s impact on grassroots football over the last decade in their new documentary ‘The New Gaffer’.
With Club World Cup closing in and strike threat unresolved, Infantino at last meets with Fifpro
January 31 – In a potential breakthrough move, representatives of the world players’ union Fifpro are reported to have met with FIFA over the packed fixture calendar that has led to the threat of strike action.
Champions League knockout play-offs pitch Real Madrid against Man city for place in last 16
January 31 – Manchester City will face defending champions Real Madrid. The top two UEFA-ranked teams will come head-to-head much earlier than most expected, after each club failed to make the top eight during Wednesday’s group stage climax.
Spanish star Aitana Bonmati ‘uncomfortable’ over Saudi gender inequalities
January 31 – Spanish star player Aitana Bonmati has said that playing in Saudi Arabia would make her “uncomfortable” because of gender inequality.
FIFA transfer report logs more than 78,000 player moves in 2024
January 31 – With the current player transfer window set to close next week, FIFA has released its 2024 FIFA Global Transfer Report that highlights a staggering volume of player movement across world football.
Neymar confirms his return to boyhood club Santos
January 31 – Following the termination of his contract with Saudi club Al Hilal, Brazil star Neymar will return to his first club Santos in what is being reported as a short-term deal.
Betano picks up naming rights to Flamengo-Botafogo Super Cup
January 31 – Online bookmaker Betano will be the headline sponsor of Brazil’s Super Cup, the season’s curtain-raiser between Flamengo and Botafogo.
Roobet agrees South American focussed betting sponsorship with Chelsea
January 31 – Premier League Chelsea have signed a multi-year deal with crypto sportsbook Roobet, naming it the club’s official regional betting partner for Latin America and Canada.
Study finds 14 of 16 stadia for 2026 World Cup likely to hit dangerous heat levels
January 31 – Player welfare is perhaps the biggest issue facing the elite of world football. With the 2026 World Cup scheduled during the height of the American summer, researchers are looking at the potential dangers players might face with extreme heat.
WeatherTech Canada warms to Canadian Premier League deal
January 31 – The Canadian Premier League has signed a multi-year deal with WeatherTech Canada, which will see the company become its Official Automotive Accessories Partner.