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.
Spanish police’s second swoop on match-fixing criminal gang sees 23 new arrests
January 31 – Spanish police have released more detail of 23 arrests, including football players, as part of a probe into suspected match-fixing in lower league football in Spain, Andorra and Gibraltar. There are currently 30 matches under further investigation for fixing.
Chelsea ready to spend again with £105m chase for Fernandez as transfer deadline closes
January 31 – As if their eye-watering spending wasn’t enough already, Chelsea are reported to be chasing Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the final hours of the January transfer window for a British record £105 million.
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.
Mainz 05 closes shirt sponsor renewal with Profine’s Kömmerling
January 31 – Bundesliga club Mainz 05 has renewed its main shirt sponsorship with Profine brand Kömmerling that will now run until 2027.
Messi regrets disrespecting Dutch after World Cup penalty shoot-out win
January 31 – Lionel Messi says he regrets the exchanges he had with the Netherlands team during their controversial World Cup quarter-final in Qatar.
Merz go from back to front with NC Courage shirt deal
January 31 – National Women’s Soccer League’s North Carolina Courage is moving its back of shirt sponsor Merz Aesthetics to the front of the club’s shirt in a deal starting with the upcoming season that kicks off in March.
Fulham secures cyber protection firm Acronis for 3-year partnership
January 31 – Cyber protection specialists Acronis has announced a three-year partnership with Premier League Fulham.
Ticket demand prompts FIFA to switch Australia’s World Cup opener to Stadium Australia
January 31 – FIFA has shifted the 2023 Women’s World Cup opening match in Australia to the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia after a larger than expected demand for tickets.
Premier League inks fantasy football deal with Sorare
January 30 – The Premier League has unveiled a four-year deal with fantasy football game Sorare that will see the league license official player cards.
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.
Chelsea spending tops £500m with Gusto signing
January 30 – Chelsea have completed their 16th signing in two transfer windows since the club came under new ownership, bringing in France under-21 right back Malo Gusto (pictured) from Lyon for a reported £26.3 million pounds.
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.