Saintfiet sets 7-game target for Mali at AFCON 2025
January 29 – Mali manager Tom Saintfiet believes his team can go all the way at the Africa Cup of Nations following a favourable group stage draw.
Greeks hail success of digital ticket system in combatting hooliganism
January 29 – Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance, has described the introduction of electronic tickets for football matches in the country as a huge success.
Seattle launches small business initiative as 500 days to WC countdown begins
January 29 – With the World Cup officially only 500 days away, Local Organising Committees are shifting gears with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 (SeattleFWC26) leading the way by unveiling a World Cup Small Business Initiative.
Man City put AI designed kits to public vote
January 29 – Football clubs and their kits are big business, however the fans rarely have an input into what these kits look like. Manchester City and their kit provider, German sportswear giant, Puma, have turned that concept around by announcing a ‘fan vote’ to decide the club’s official 2026/27 Third kit.
Saudi Arabia announces first women’s football sponsorship
January 28 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has unveiled a three-year partnership with Unilever’s Rexona, marking the first-ever official sponsorship of the Kingdom’s women’s national football programme.
Magwizi elected Zimbabwe FA President in landslide
January 28 – Nqobile Magwizi has been elected as the new Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) President after a landslide victory, and now faces the task of stabilising an association that has been dogged by internal wrangling.
Jamal Khashoggi’s widow urges FIFA tribute on husband at Saudi 2034
January 28 – The widow of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has urged FIFA to commemorate her late husband at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA refuses to monitor conditions of migrant workers ahead of Saudi 2034
January 28 – In a new low, FIFA has rejected a request by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa to monitor the conditions of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2034 World Cup.
DFL to trial referee announcements in an attempt to boost transparency
January 28 – In a move aimed at boosting transparency and fan engagement, the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga will trial public referee announcements during Matchday 20.
EA Sports’ stock plummets following FC 2025 video game issues
January 28 – A revised fiscal outlook and a stock market tumble suggest EA Sports might be losing its once-firm grasp on the billion-dollar football gaming industry.
Euro winner Luis de La Fuente extends Spain contract
January 28 – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year’s European Championship title.
AFCON heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon drawn together in 2025 finals
January 28 – Defending African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ivory Coast have been drawn against fellow tournament heavyweights Cameroon in the group stages of the 2025 iteration of the competition.
Former Premier League referee David Coote tells all in heartfelt interview
January 28 – Former English Premier League referee David Coote has come out as gay and revealed that struggling to hide his sexuality contributed to the offensive rant about Jurgen Klopp that led to his dismissal.
Former head of US agency that broke the FIFA corruption case in 2015 says it isn’t over yet
January 28 – Speaking at SIGA’s financial integrity forum (FITS) in Lisbon, Portugal, Richard Weber, the former director of the US’s IRSCI (Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation) agency that broke the case that led to the US indictments in 2015 of eventually more than 40 FIFA officials and associates, said that the investigation “is continuing today”.
Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan arrested as part of cocaine trafficking investigation
January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.