MLS expands play-off format with more teams and increase in games
February 23 – The MLS has revamped its play-off format, increasing the number of teams that qualify as well as bringing in a new best-of-3 series at the first round.
Federations
US turmoil as 2026 bid speculation and 2018 qualifying losses pressure Gulati
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – US Soccer president Sunil Gulati says a Donald Trump presidency will not affect the decision on whether or not to bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but his federation has more immediate worries after a second successive 2018 qualifying defeat for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team.
World Cup 2026: Will Trump’s wall keep Mexico off the joint-hosting ticket?
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – If newly elected US President Donald Trump carries out his threat to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants, what impact, if any, would it have on the bid to the stage the 2026 World Cup?
Solo’s US ban was after a ‘bunch’ of incidents, says coach
September 8 – US women’s national team head coach Jill Ellis has spoken for the first time about the full reasons behind the decision to ban Hope Solo, the best-known goalkeeper in women’s football, for six months and terminate her contract.
Derrick wins CFU presidency and tasked to bring solidarity to Caribbean
By Paul Nicholson
July 25 – The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) has elected Antiguan Gordon Derrick to a second four-year term as president.
CFU elections: John-Williams pledges to tear house down and rebuild it brick by brick
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – Trinidad and Tobago FA president David John-Williams, a challenger for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) presidency in elections to be held in Miami July 23, has released his manifesto to Insideworldfootball.
CFU election: Frederick manifesto calls for Caribbean unity and funding
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – Hillaren Frederick, candidate in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) presidential elections has released his manifest under the banner ‘Building bridges through effective Communication and Good Governance ….31….We are Strong’.
Derrick manifesto focuses on grassroots and competitions as CFU election nears
By Paul Nicholson
July 18 – With Caribbean Football Union (CFU) elections taking place July 23, CFU president Gordon Derrick, standing for a second four-year term, has issued an election manifesto with an emphasis on grassroots development and increased competition across the region.
John-Williams fails to convince home support in bid to be Caribbean king
By Paul Nicholson
July 12 – Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) president David John-Williams, who is bidding to become Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president with the apparent backing of CONCACAF’s leadership, FIFA and UEFA, has come under fire from within his own federation for not consulting his own members and for spending TTFA funds to promote his bid.
Caribbean crossroads. Are football’s political elite creating a ‘new Warner’ for their own use?
By Paul Nicholson
July 1 – Controversial Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president, David John-Williams, has officially declared his candidacy for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) presidency, amid claims that he has misused TTFA funds to finance his campaign and that he has been given significant political backing from CONCACAF and FIFA in return for his support of their new presidents Victor Montagliani (pictured) and Gianni Infantino.
Montagliani, Gulati and Infantino manoeuvre Caribbean into submission
By Paul Nicholson
June 24 – Manipulation of football administration in the Caribbean is nothing new. But in a region desperate to shake off the long shadows of former presidents Jack Warner and Jeff Webb, the old ways of operating seem to be alive and kicking. They may have even taken a turn for the worse with regional confederation CONCACAF stepping into the game with the support of FIFA and its new president Gianni Infantino.
Caribbean piracy: CFU blanked as CONCACAF-backed Trinidad boss calls in MAs
By Paul Nicholson
June 10 – A fresh row has broken out in the Caribbean over what is being interpreted by national associations as back-door interference in the region’s affairs by regional confederation CONCACAF. The moves further undermine the management of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and its executive at a time when it has already seen its power base at the region’s top political table eroded and its membership split and marginalised.
No freedom for Women’s national team in the land of the free
By Paul Nicholson
June 6 – The dispute between the world beating US Women’s national team and the US Soccer Federation over the women’s demands for equal pay for representing their country – they generally earn between 62% and 25% less per match than their male counterparts – took a controversial turn in a Chicago court when a judge ruled they could not take strike action.
CFU kicks off Caribbean Cup with new format and new bank sponsor
March 24 – The Caribbean Cup 2016 kicked off this week with a new format and a new title sponsor in the form of Scotiabank. Cuba, Grenada and Guyana all won their opening games as seven groups begin play to qualify 15 teams for the next round.
Guatemala’s $1 million question: Where is it?
By Mark Baber
February 1 – As much as $1 million in funds from soccer’s global governing body FIFA may have gone missing from Guatemala’s soccer federation last year, according to reports of an internal audit carried out by the federation.