CWC 2nd round of ticket sales opens with eyes on Saudi’s hosting capabilities
October 19 – FIFA have opened the second phase of ticket sales for the Club World Cup 2023, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Federations
Saudi sports minister Bader Alkadi says sports investment is for the nation, not reputation
October 19 – Saudi Arabia’s vice-minister of sport has added his voice to countering critics who accuse the country of using its sovereign wealth fund to engage in “sportswashing” to deflect from its human rights record.
Saudi Arabia’s Alkassim says 2034 bid is priority and country can be ‘a force for good’
October 17 – The general secretary of the Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF), Ibrahim Alkassim, has reiterated his nation’s commitment to their 2034 FIFA World Cup bid, inspired by the growth of the Saudi Pro League alongside the success of the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar.
Algeria to host Palestine’s 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers
October 17 – Palestine’s men’s team will play all home matches in Algeria until further notice following a request from the Palestinian FA in the wake of the military conflict between Hamas and Israel.
China appoints Song Kai to lead FA to calmer waters
October 16 – Song Kai has been named as the new chairman of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), China’s state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.
PepsiCo brand Lay’s becomes Saudi Women’s Premier League naming rights partner ahead of season kick-off
October 11 – PepsiCo and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation have signed a three-year partnership that will see PepsiCo’s snack brand Lay’s, become the new strategic sponsors of the Saudi Women’s Premier League.
China corruption crackdown accelerates with arrest warrant for top sports official
October 11 – China has ordered the arrest of a former top sports official as Beijing maintains a crackdown on corruption.
VW drives capacity-building programme focussed on women’s game with Qatar Foundation
October 11 – The Qatar Foundation and Volkswagen Middle East have agreed a partnership with the aim of supporting capacity-building programmes, specifically for women and girls in football around the region.
Pakistan turn to Constantine to prepare for World Cup qualifier against Cambodia
October 2 – Pakistan have turned to globetrotting coach Stephen Constantine to help the team win their first-ever World Cup qualifier.
MBS says spending on sport is a good investment and Saudi won’t stop
September 22 – Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has rejected allegations of ‘sportswashing’ as a method of improving the kingdom’s international reputation and says he has every intention of continuing to invest in top-level sport.
Saudis link with French to develop coaches and a performance research hub
September 20 – The French FA (FFF) have signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) that will cover football development.
U17 World Cup hosts Indonesia head to Bundesliga clubs for training camp
September 18 – Indonesia Under-17s will undergo a five-week Bundesliga training camp ahead of the 2023 U17 World Cup in November.
Transfer focus on Saudi as Gray leaves Everton, Carrasco moves from Athletico and chase for Salah intensifies
September 8 – With the European transfer deadline over, this week focus has been on the heavily-funded Saudi Pro League to complete their deals ahead of their transfer deadline Thursday evening.
AFC calls in its top association officials for high level capacity building powwow
September 7 – The AFC is gathering the top two officials of all its member and regional associations in the same room for a two-day conference next month in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with the aim of knowledge exchange, increasing administrative capacity, and creating stronger co-operation on a national level.
Chinese crackdown continues with arrest of CSL chief Liu Jun
August 31 – Liu Jun, chairman of the Chinese Super League (CSL) company, is the latest high-profile figure to be placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
