Concacaf draws qualification pathways for 2026 World Cup
January 26 – Panama grouped with Nicaragua and Jamaica paired with Guatemala were the highlights of the first round group draw for the Conacacaf 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
News
Raiffeisen Bank branches out with naming rights to Kosovo’s top tier league
January 25 – The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) has agreed a sponsorship with Raiffeisen Bank who become the main sponsor of the Kosovan First Football League, which from the spring of 2024 will be renamed the Raiffeisen First League.
Visa taps in with FIFA for global partner renewal to end 2026
January 25 – FIFA has renewed payments technology firm Visa’s global sponsorship for a new rights cycle taking them to the 2026.
Boban quits UEFA on point of principle
January 25 – Zvonimir Boban has suddenly quit as UEFA’s chief of football in protest at Aleksander Ceferin’s apparent push to change statutes that would let him stay in office as president longer than the current rules permit.
CAF hits Regragui with 4-game ban and fines Moroccan FA after Congo chaos
January 25 – Morocco coach Walid Regragui has been handed a four-game ban, with two suspended, in response to heated scenes at the end of the team’s Africa Cup of Nations game against Congo on Sunday.
Cypriot cup match called off after fans throw flares
January 25 – A cup match in Cyprus between perennial Limassol rivals Apollon and AEL was called off Wednesday after some fans ran on to the field and hurled flares at each other before kickoff.
Udinese bans four more monkey-chanting fans for life
January 25 – Four more Udinese fans who racially abused AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan have been identified and punished.
Klopp steps into Salah debate questioning the loyalty of the Egyptian’s critics
January 25 – Jurgen Klopp has broken his silence in support of Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as accusations continue over the player’s commitment to his country’s AFCON progression.
Concacaf puts Copa America 2024 play-in tix on-sale, some availability still for CNL final 4
January 24 – On Friday (January 26) Concacaf said it will put on sale tickets for the double header play-in match on March 23 that will qualify the final two teams for the Conmebol Copa America 2024 that will be played in the US this summer.
Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean launch main sponsorship, and a ship
January 25 – Inter Miami have launched their partnership with cruise line Royal Caribbean International becoming the club’s main sponsor in a multi-year deal starting with the 2024 season.
AFCON minnows Mauritania send Algeria home early
January 24 – In a tournament that has produced shock after shock, Mauritania served up another when they dumped 2019 winners Algeria out of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory to seal a first ever win at the finals and a historic place in the last-16.
Salah injury worse than expected as Rui Vitoria accuse Liverpool of over-reacting
January 24 – Mohamed Salah is likely to miss the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations after the Egyptian forward’s agent said he faces “21-28 days” out of action with a hamstring injury.
Ghana fire Hughton after early exit from AFCON, Sanfiet quits Gambia
January 24 – Ghana have sacked coach Chris Hughton after their shock group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Udinese ordered to play next match behind closed doors after racist abuse of Maignan
January 22 – Udinese have been ordered by Serie A to play one game behind closed doors following the racist abuse aimed at AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan on Saturday.
UEFA and European Leagues strengthen ties as presidents powow in Nyon
January 23 – The European Leagues body, so often the poor relation in football’s stakeholders group, particularly when it comes to FIFA’s competition objectives, is lobbying its way towards the centre of decision making and a stronger relationship with UEFA.