U20 Women’s World Cup: Both Koreas into last 16 in Colombia
September 9 – Hosts Colombia will take on South Korea in the round of 16 in the Women’s World Cup after the Koreans stunned Germany. Argentina complete the knockout lineup.
FIFA
WLA says Fifpro player workload report highlights ‘unsustainable’ trend
September 6 – The World Leagues Association (WLA) has maintained pressure on FIFA over the increase in matches in the international match calendar saying the recently released ‘Player Workload Monitoring Report 2024’ highlights an “unsustainable trend”.
Club World Cup shows signs of life with unveiling of tournament emblem
September 5 – The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup scheduled for summer 2025 in the US has been short on detail as regards venues, infrastructure and commercial partners, but FIFA has now unveiled the emblem for the competition.
Brazil lists 12 cities as hosts for 2027 Women’s World Cup
September 4 – Twelve Brazilian cities, including Belem and Natal, have come forward to host matches at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.
Transfer spend $1bn down on 2023 at $6.4bn, but women’s game continues to grow
September 3 – The volume of money flowing through the international transfer system for the mid-year window just closed may be $1 billion lower than 2023, but the actual numbers of transfers made are higher.
FIFA kicks Palestine-Israel political football into October for Council decision
September 2 – FIFA is continuing to drag its feet over the crisis in the Middle East by once again delaying a review of a Palestinian bid to have Israel kicked out over its destruction of Gaza.
FIFA trials FVS as Colombia open home hosted U-20 World Cup with a win
September 2 – Hosts Colombia got the U-20 Women’s World Cup underway with a 2-0 victory against Australia in a tournament that will serve as a trial for the football support system (FVS).
Israeli pressure groups complain to FIFA of ‘Palestinian campaign of hate’
August 29 – Israeli NGOs and lawyers have written to FIFA to demand Israel not be suspended from the global game, asking the governing body give “a red card to this relentless Palestinian campaign of hate against Israel”.
Former Cook Islands FA president Lee Harmon loses appeal against ban
August 28 – Lee Harmon, the former President of the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA), remains banned from the game after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed his appeal.
Infantino and MBS plug in at Esports World Cup in Riyadh
August 27 – Together with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the maiden Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Amnesty calls on KNVB to confront Saudi’s ‘flawed’ 2034 human rights commitments
August 20 – Amnesty International has demanded the Dutch FA, the KNVB, and professional clubs take a stance over the hosting of the 2034 World Cup that is set to be awarded to Saudi Arabia later this year.
US Women climb Olympic heights and a return to summit of FIFA rankings
August 19 – USA have returned to the top of the world women’s rankings thanks to their Olympic gold medal triumph over Brazil in Paris earlier this month.
FIFA signs first major 2026 sponsorship with Bank of America
August 16 – FIFA has announced Bank of America as an official sponsor for the 2026 World Cup, the first time the organisation has partnered with a bank.
FIFA faces renewed questions over player welfare and hectic Olympic schedule
August 12 – Following in the footsteps of United States manager Emma Hayes, Brazilian player Rafaelle Souza (pictured) has called on FIFA to review the Olympic football tournament, citing exhaustion.
Bayern Munich’s Hoeness calls expanded international calendar ‘madness’
August 9 – Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness is the latest figure to denounce the expansion of the footballing calendar – taking aim at UEFA as well as FIFA.