West Ham and Jamaica striker Michail Antonio has surgery after car crash
December 9 – West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following his involvement in a car accident on Saturday.
Bulgarian FA to build national academy, with UEFA and FIFA help
December 9 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) plans to build a football academy with the financial help of FIFA and UEFA.
The president of the BFU, Georgi Ivanov, said in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television that FIFA and UEFA will provide the funds for the large-scale project, since the BFU does not receive any financial assistance from the state.
Argentine FA takes its world champion team to conquer the metaverse
December 9 – The Argentine economy is in meltdown however the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) has never had so much success, and that looks to continue as they are about to step into the Metaverse.
Robbie Keane in market for return to US as a coach
December 9 – Robbie Keane’s Irish heart was smiling this weekend as one of his 11 former clubs lifted the biggest title on offer in his former home of America. Keane, who spent five seasons in Los Angeles with the LA Galaxy winning three MLS Cups was on the sidelines as they won their sixth all-time title beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
FIFA puts on a show for its Club World Cup group draw
December 6 – In a televised event live from Miami, that featured a pre-recorded address from US president elect Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka drawing the first team, FIFA’s Club World Cup has completed its group draw stage, the first-ever for its 32-team format.
Germany’s Bundesliga busts the €1bn barrier for domestic broadcast rights
December 6 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga has beaten its budget with its latest media rights tender, surpassing the €1 billion mark per season for German-language broadcasting.
Belgian FA sees no problem with FIFA’s Qatar report and congratulates Saudi 2034
December 6 – The Belgian FA (RBFA) has defended FIFA’s position about compensation (or the lack of it) to migrant workers in Qatar.
Sketch: Painfully brilliant, or a shameless sham?
December 6 – The Club World Cup draw presentation yesterday in Miami was a very Latin American themed event with a sprinkling of Italians in the audience and Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero acting as master of ceremonies (co-conductor in FIFA-speak) – an elegant ringmaster on the football pitch but one who was a little wooden under this big top.
Ecuadorian police rescue kidnapped national team player after jungle gunfight
December 6 – An Ecuadoran international held hostage for three days has been rescued after a firefight between police and his captors in the jungle near the border with Colombia.
Miele becomes national sponsor of Switzerland 2025 Women’s Euros
December 6 – UEFA has announced that Miele Switzerland, a leading home appliance manufacturer, has joined as a national partner for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Saudi Arabia in talks with Concacaf about guesting at 2025 Gold Cup in US
December 6 – Three-time winner of the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia are in talks about competing in next summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup to be held in the United States and Canada.
Romanian FA president Răzvan Burleanu sends political message urging country to stay ‘European’
December 6 – Amid the political upheaval in Romania, FA president Răzvan Burleanu (pictured) has come out in defense of a pro-European future.
Match day 14: Mid-week fixtures see drop in Premier League attendances
December 6 – Manchester City recorded the most empty seats of any Premier League team this season as revealed by Inside World Football’s Capacity Tracker for matchweek 14, despite Pep Guardiola’s side turning around their losing form with a much-needed victory on Wednesday night.
FIFA Museum launches Football Fever exhibition
December 26 – The FIFA Museum will unveil a new exhibition space December 17, titled ‘Football Fever: Play. Compete. Repeat’.
Bulgarian FA joins Johan Cruyff Institute’s network to train next generation of leaders
December 6 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Johan Cruyff Institute, the educational institution founded by Dutch great Johan Cruyff, aimed at educating athletes, sport and business professionals in the field of sport management.