Visa taps in with FIFA for global partner renewal to end 2026
January 25 – FIFA has renewed payments technology firm Visa’s global sponsorship for a new rights cycle taking them to the 2026.
Saudi and Thailand happy with stalemate as second strings see out group
January 25 – Saudi Arabia were held by Thailand as the two sides closed out the Asian Cup group stages with a 0-0 draw at the Education City Stadium.
Boban quits UEFA on point of principle
January 25 – Zvonimir Boban has suddenly quit as UEFA’s chief of football in protest at Aleksander Ceferin’s apparent push to change statutes that would let him stay in office as president longer than the current rules permit.
CAF hits Regragui with 4-game ban and fines Moroccan FA after Congo chaos
January 25 – Morocco coach Walid Regragui has been handed a four-game ban, with two suspended, in response to heated scenes at the end of the team’s Africa Cup of Nations game against Congo on Sunday.
Thailand’s Ishii prepares for last 16 on the clean sheet of his game saving keeper Anuin
January 26 – Thailand’s second-choice goalkeeper Saranon Anuin’s flawless display against Saudi Arabia saw him pick up the Man of the Match award on his international debut, as the 29-year-old inspired his team to a historic draw in the last group game of the Asian Cup.
Bahrain beat Jordan to top group
January 25 – Bahrain made it back-to-back wins at the Asian Cup as they edged out Jordan 1-0 to claim a thoroughly deserved place in the last 16 of the competition as both sides ended up advancing.
Battling Malaysians make South Koreans scramble for last 16 slot
January 25 – Malaysia held South Korea to a dramatic 3-3 draw with Romel Morales’s last-ditch stoppage time equaliser condemning Jurgen Klinsmann’s team to second spot in Group E.
Cypriot cup match called off after fans throw flares
January 25 – A cup match in Cyprus between perennial Limassol rivals Apollon and AEL was called off Wednesday after some fans ran on to the field and hurled flares at each other before kickoff.
Udinese bans four more monkey-chanting fans for life
January 25 – Four more Udinese fans who racially abused AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan have been identified and punished.
Transfer talk: Liverpool eye Kimmich; Saudis at door for Man Utd’s sale, Lukaku on move again?
January 25 – Liverpool have joined Manchester City in the race to sign FC Bayern want-away midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The highly-rated German international’s contract expires at the end of the season, with the 28-year-old unlikely to pen a new deal.
Klopp steps into Salah debate questioning the loyalty of the Egyptian’s critics
January 25 – Jurgen Klopp has broken his silence in support of Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as accusations continue over the player’s commitment to his country’s AFCON progression.
Concacaf puts Copa America 2024 play-in tix on-sale, some availability still for CNL final 4
January 24 – On Friday (January 26) Concacaf said it will put on sale tickets for the double header play-in match on March 23 that will qualify the final two teams for the Conmebol Copa America 2024 that will be played in the US this summer.
Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean launch main sponsorship, and a ship
January 25 – Inter Miami have launched their partnership with cruise line Royal Caribbean International becoming the club’s main sponsor in a multi-year deal starting with the 2024 season.
AFCON minnows Mauritania send Algeria home early
January 24 – In a tournament that has produced shock after shock, Mauritania served up another when they dumped 2019 winners Algeria out of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory to seal a first ever win at the finals and a historic place in the last-16.
Salah injury worse than expected as Rui Vitoria accuse Liverpool of over-reacting
January 24 – Mohamed Salah is likely to miss the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations after the Egyptian forward’s agent said he faces “21-28 days” out of action with a hamstring injury.