December 5 – The Asian Cup 2027 now looks certain to be held in Saudi Arabia after India pulled out from their bid to host the AFC’s blue riband men’s national team competition.
By David Owen
December 4 – Table-topping Arsenal have posted a much-needed improvement in annual financial performance, helped by the return of live spectators to Emirates Stadium and a 13% cut in the bill for wages.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 5 – FIFA’s head of global development Arsene Wenger has claimed that teams who avoided political demonstrations have played better at the World Cup, taking a swipe at Germany and Denmark. He also praised the tournament experience as “unique”.
December 5 – Pélé and his doctors have reassured the public after Brazilian media had reported that the football legend was no longer responding to chemotherapy and had been moved to palliative care.
December 4 – A KPMG report commissioned by LaLiga estimates a 55% revenue loss for the Spanish league if a European Super League came to fruition.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 3 – Spearheaded by Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries, the Netherlands breezed past an inexperienced US side 3-1 to reach the last eight of the World Cup where they will meet Argentina.
December 4 – Coinciding with the UN International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is showcasing over the next five days work done by its members to tackle corruption, money laundering and criminal infiltration in sport.
By David Owen
December 3 – Qatar 2022, a World Cup of upsets? Well, actually yes, as the group stage draws to a close, the opening phase of this massively controversial tournament has indeed, by one objective yardstick, been the most surprising in recent history.
December 2 – UEFA has opened an investigation into Juventus over the alleged financial fraud that has seen Juve’s board resign and a series of indictments issued against them by Italian authorities.
December 2 – Once again, four-time world champions Germany departed the World Cup in the first round despite a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica in their final group E game with coach Hansi Flick saying that a reboot was needed.
December 2 – Saudi Arabia has formally submitted a bid to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, a major socio-political statement by the country that only a few years ago did not allow women into stadia to watch football.
December 2 – Portugal’s players have on average had more playing time in 2022 than any other nation at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, according to a ranking of nations by average number of player minutes in competitive action.
December 2 – FIFA are reported to be considering scrapping three-team groups at the World Cup 2026 tournament – the first with 48 teams – and sticking with the status quo of four-team groups.
December 2 – Belgium’s coach Roberto Martinez has stepped down following his side’s goalless draw with Croatia and premature exit from the World Cup.
December 2 – Stephanie Frappart made history on Thursday as the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, taking charge of the Germany vs Costa Rica final group E game at the Al Bayt Stadium.