FIFA’s Task Force Football 2014 disbands
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – A star-studded FIFA panel charged with finding ways to make the game more of a spectacle in time for the next World Cup in Brazil has been disbanded.
World Cup
Exclusive: FIFA regulations could rule out a Qatar 2022 winter World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – The global clamour for the 2022 World Cup to be switched to the winter to avoid Qatar’s stifling desert heat could be scuppered – by FIFA’s own regulations.
Valcke returns home after being hospitalised during Brazil 2014 meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke has returned home to Switzerland having been hospitalised in Brazil for four days with a kidney infection.
Fans warned to use licensed agents for 2014 FIFA World Cup hospitality
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Match Hospitality, the exclusive rights holder of FIFA’s hospitality programme, says unauthorised companies are trying to jump on board to sell packages for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and has promised “Vigorous action” to protect its name.
Valcke taken ill in Brazil during 2014 World Cup meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
October 19 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke is the latest top-ranking official to succumb to the pressures and stresses of the job after contracting a minor infection in Brazil.
Brazilian authorities take over notorious Rio slum ahead of 2014 World Cup
By Tom Degun
October 19 – Brazilian marines and paramilitary police have stormed one of Rio’s most notorious and dangerous slums in a bid to clean up the area before the city hosts the FIFA 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Rio’s doping control lab for 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics reinstated by WADA
By Mike Rowbottom
October 17 – Rio’s doping control laboratory, expected to play a major part in Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has been reinstated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following its partial suspension on January 18.
Valcke raises fresh concerns over Brazil’s preparations for 2013 Confederations Cup
By Tom Degun
October 17 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke has expressed his concern that Brazil’s six stadiums for the 2013 Confederations Cup will not be ready on time due to the slow pace of preparations.
De Boer backs Qatar winter World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw at the Leaders in Football Conference at Stamford Bridge in London
October 11 – The controversy over whether to switch the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to the winter to avoid the searing June-July desert temperatures was reignited today – this time by one of Qatar’s very own ambassadors.
FIFA to avoid empty seats at World Cup with new ticketing system
By Andrew Warshaw at the Leaders in Football Conference at Stamford Bridge in London
October 10 – FIFA is to implement a new ticketing resale system for the 2014 World Cup designed to avoid the large swathes of empty seats that plagued the London 2012 Olympics, and the 2012 UEFA European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine.
Construction of first Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium to start next year
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – Construction of Qatar’s first stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament will start next year, it has been confirmed.
Russia 2018 sets visa-free regime for World Cup ticket holders
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Russia 2018 has reiterated plans to scrap visa requirements for fans – provided they have FIFA World Cup tickets.
Paes re-elected Mayor of Rio de Janeiro through 2014 World Cup
By Tom Degun
October 8 – Eduardo Paes has been re-elected as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil’s municipal elections meaning that he will hold the prestigious position when the country hosts the FIFA 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Kuban Krasnodar fans protest 2018 World Cup hosting snub
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Fans of Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar have written to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA boss Sepp Blatter protesting that their city was not chosen as one of the host venues for the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil introduces new hotel ranking system ahead of World Cup
By David Gold
October 5 – The Brazilian Government has announced new criteria for ranking hotels and accommodation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games that Rio de Janeiro hosts in 2016.