Panama
Panama qualified for the W Gold Cup by topping their League A Nations League group ahead of Guatemala and Jamaica.
World Football
Paraguay
Paraguay qualified as one of the Conmebol guests for the Concacaf W Gold Cup by finishing fourth in the 2022 Copa America Feminina.
Canada
Canada qualified for the Gold Cup as CONCACAF Olympic play-off winners, making them the first team to officially join hosts USA. The Canadians have a strong a footballing pedigree having won Gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Brazil
Brazil qualified as 2022 Copa América Femenina winners which gave them automatic qualification to the W Gold Cup. As a result, they were seeded in pot 1 of the group stage draw alongside fellow favourites USA and Canada.
U.S. Soccer adopts Yates report recommendations into new ‘Safe Soccer’ regulation
January 31 – The United States soccer federation is to introduce a more thorough vetting system for coaches and officials as part of reforms after an investigation found widespread misconduct in the top-flight women’s league (NWSL).
Gattuso exits Valencia as Spanish club battles against relegation
January 31 – Valencia have parted ways with their coach Gennaro Gattuso following a 1-0 defeat to Real Valladolid, leaving the club one point above the relegation zone.
NWSL plans expansion teams in Boston, Utah and San Francisco
January 30 – The 12-team National Women’s Soccer League is in advanced discussions to expand with three new teams in Boston, Utah and the San Francisco Bay Area.
From bad to worse. Juve crash at Monza
January 30 – Juventus’ dire predicament on and off the pitch has taken a further hit as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by unheralded Monza in Serie A on Sunday.
Copa America to return to US in 2024 after Conmebol and Concacaf sign new multi-competition pact
By Paul Nicholson
January 27 – Conmebol’s flagship Copa America will be played in the US in 2024 for the second time with all 10 of the South American nations and the six best Concacaf teams competing.
Vinicius Jr demands punishment after his effigy is hung from Madrid bridge by Atletico fans
January 27 – Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr says he expects punishment to be handed out by Spanish authorities against hate crimes after a mannequin wearing his No. 20 shirt was hung from a bridge in front of the club’s training centre ahead of the recent Madrid derby.
Stewart exits US Soccer for PSV Eindhoven, recruiters hired to fill top jobs
January 25 – The US men’s national team may have to wait longer for a new coach following the exit of sporting director Ernie Stewart at US Soccer. Earlier this week general manager Brian McBride had also departed the federation.
JP Morgan could go as high as €1bn for stake in Serie A’s media business, reports
January 27 – JP Morgan have added their names to a number of private equity investors interested in buying into Italy’s Serie A.
Southgate says boo-boys almost made him quit, but team is improving and he is ‘hungry’
January 27 – England manager Gareth Southgate contemplated before the World Cup in Qatar announcing he would resign after it because of criticism in the build-up to the tournament.
Impatient Ajax fire Schreuder after 7 matches without a league win
January 27 – Ajax have dismissed their coach Alfred Schreuder following a disappointing run of seven Eredivisie matches without a win.
Mastercard renews Copa Libertadores for four editions and adds women’s competition
January 27 – Mastercard has renewed its sponsorship of Conmebol’s Copa Libertadores through to 2026 with the addition of the confederation’s women’s club competition – Libertadores Feminina – to the agreement.