December 4 – While Club World Cup focus has been on FIFA’s draw this week for the 2025 group stages, Qatari organisers have been methodically preparing for the hosting of the final stages of FIFA’s old version of the Club World Cup, renamed as the Intercontinental Cup that kicks off December 11.
December 3 – In the 2022 World Cup sustainability report, FIFA claims that the tournament in Qatar produced 3.8 megatons of CO2, but critics argue the tournament was one of the most polluting ever.
December 3 – It has been said that one of the biggest problems concerning player development in the United States is the lack of quality coaches. From mom and pop volunteers, to various forms of unqualified enthusiasts, the tactical, technical, physical, and mental side of football are given short thrift in search of easy wins, and a quick buck.
December 3 – Coaches could soon have the opportunity to contest refereeing decisions as FIFA mulls over a revamp of VAR.
December 3 – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be in the twilight of their careers and no longer with top European teams but it seems their peers still have huge respect for them both.
December 3 – Four fans accused of racially insulting forward Lamine Yamal and other Barcelona players during last month’s league ‘clasico’ at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium are set to be banned from Spanish stadiums for a year.
December 3 – Chris Coleman has been named the new manager of OH Leuven following the departure of Oscar Garcia.
December 3 – The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has deepened its partnership with Stats Perform, adding new performance insights and data solutions via Opta and OptaAI.
December 3 – The Football Association of Hong Kong (HKFA) has announced a new sponsorship agreement with ChargeSpot, a shared power bank provider, to support the national team for the 2024-25 season, serving as HKFA’s Official Power Partner.
December 3 – Al-Ittihad, the nine-time winners of the Saudi Pro League and current league leaders by two points after 12 games, are also enjoying a good season off the pitch, having recently announced two noteworthy deals.
December 3 – The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has brought in digital tech specialists Orion Innovation to overhaul the FA’s digital infrastructure.
December 3 – AS Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority have extended their partnership, with the Visit Monaco brand now set to feature on the kits of the club’s Academy teams.
December 2 – A match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré, turned deadly as violent clashes led to a stampede, resulting in at least 56 fatalities on Sunday, according to government reports.
December 2 – FIFA World Cup bid evaluation report has, remarkably, awarded Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup the joint highest bidding score ever. Human rights groups, however, have slammed FIFA for “whitewashing” the country’s human rights record and called out glossing over environmental concerns.
December 2 – In a new low for FIFA and president Gianni Infantino’s administration, FIFA have ignored a key recommendation by its own subcommittee on human rights and social responsibility to compensate migrant workers in Qatar.