Record number of federations sign up for AFC Grassroots Football day
May 16 – The AFC Grassroots Football Day has been renewed for its 11th edition later this summer, with an official date to be revealed in due course.
CBF suspends league fixtures as clubs struggle to function in aftermath of flooding
May 16 – Following pressure from clubs and the Brazilian sports ministry, the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has suspended the next two rounds of the league because of major floods in the country’s south.
FIFA sets early 2026 date for 16-team inaugural Women’s Club World Cup
By Samindra Kunti in Bangkok
May 15 – FIFA’s plans for a Women’s Club World Cup, years in the making, are taking shape after the FIFA Council confirmed the inaugural edition of the tournament will take place in 2026 in a 16-team format.
FIFA forms working group to review rules on staging regular season games in foreign markets
May 15 – Decades of footballing tradition could soon be scrapped with FIFA reviewing rules that currently block domestic league games being played overseas.
Australia and Uzbekistan awarded 2026 and 2029 hosting rights to AFC Women’s Asian Cup
May 15 – The Asian Confederation has awarded hosting of its 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup competitions to Australia and Uzbekistan.
Salman points to success of Asian Cup 2023 as the AFC’s platform for further growth
May 16 – Speaking after the AFC Executive Committee meeting and before Thursday’s AFC Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has emphasised that the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, played in January/February this year, will prove a breakthrough moment for the confederation.
Infantino congratulates River Plate, Argentina’s first qualifier for 2025 Club World Cup
May 15 – Buenos Aires giants River Plate have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after overcoming Libertad from Paraguay on Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores, becoming the first Argentinian club to clinch a spot in the expanded 32-team tournament.
FIFA Council rubber-stamps meteoric rise of Mattias Grafstrom to general secretary
May 15 – On the eve of the FIFA Congress, the world governing body has confirmed the appointment of Mattias Grafstrom as secretary-general following a meeting of the FIFA Council.
UEFA unveil Fan Fest sites for Champions League and Europa League finals
May 15 – UEFA have announced plans for two fan festivals spanning both major UEFA finals in London and Dublin.
Mob control: UEFA says only captains can question referee decisions at Euro 2024
May 15 – UEFA has told teams at Euro 2024 that only captains will be allowed to approach referees to question decisions taken during games and other players doing so risk being booked.
Man City win over Spurs takes Premier League title race to the wire
May 15 – A record fourth consecutive Premier League crown is in Manchester City’s hands after they beat Tottenham 2-0 with two goals by Erling Haaland on Tuesday night.
Lucozade make Bellingham the face of ‘Bring the Energy’ campaign
May 15 – Jude Bellingham has partnered with Lucozade on a multi-year deal which will see the Real Madrid star become the face of a new multi-million pound ‘Bring the Energy’ TV campaign.
Aston Villa banking on Champions League qualification to ease revenue pressure
May 15 – Aston Villa will play in the UEFA Champions League next season, as European riches look to heal the club’s precarious financial situation behind the scenes.
Clubs call for suspension of league after floods devastate southern Brazil
May 15 – Brazilian clubs have demanded the suspension of the top flight Serie A following the floods that have hit in state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Fossil Free Football lobby group backs Fifpro and WLA call to scrap 2025 Club World Cup
May 14 – Fan-led environmental pressure group Fossil Free Football has given its support to the Fifpro and World Leagues Association (WLA) calls for FIFA to scrap its expanded Club World Cup in 2025 and reconsider its planned calendar expansion.