Bhutan start to climb the mountainous FIFA Women’s World Ranking
June 9 – There might have been no change at the top of the Women’s World Ranking, but lower down the list Bhutan are climbing the mountain.
News
Hull’s Turkish owner Illicali buys Ireland’s Shelbourne FC
June 9 – Turkish media tycoon Acun Ilicali (pictured), owner of Hull City in the English Championship, bought a majority shareholding in Shelbourne FC, one of the oldest clubs in the Irish Premier League.
AB InBev quenches FIFA’s thirst with two World Cup official beer deal
June 9 – Welcomed with their money, but not with their product at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, AB InBev has nevertheless thrown the dice again with FIFA as official beer sponsor of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and FIFA World Cup 2026.
WINBET renews Bulgarian club Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s shirt deal; Nike make way for Joma
June 9 – Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv has extended its deal with main sponsor WINBET for a further three years. The bookmaker has been the club’s principal partner since 2021.
Canal+ Group in Vietnam secures AFC national team and club rights for 2025-28
June 9 – The Vietnamese K+ platform, a joint venture between Canal+ Group and national broadcaster VTV, has signed a deal to become the exclusive media rights holder of all AFC competitions in Vietnam for the 2025-2028 cycle.
UEFA’s FootbALL launch to drive social change and sustainability across the game
June 9 – Highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in European football, UEFA has launched the FootbALL programme which is designed to help drive positive social change.
Netherlands
How they qualified
The Dutch topped Group 4 in the A-League with sixteen points, outplaying neighbours Belgium as well as World Cup finalists Wales and Poland. Oranje showcased their dominance with a commanding 4-1 victory over Belgium, revealing the vulnerabilities of the Red Devils, who subsequently struggled in the World Cup. However, they laboured to a 1-1 draw against Poland, but, ultimately, the Dutch secured their place in the Final Four with a 1-0 triumph over Belgium in Amsterdam.
Messi makes lifestyle choice and heads for InterMiami and the MLS
June 8 – In a move that took much of the football world by surprise, Lionel Messi has turned his back on Saudi Arabia and is instead heading to the MLS and Inter Miami.
Bellingham shuns Premier League to head for LaLiga’s Real Madrid in €100m+ deal
June 8 – Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham for €103 million.
Jubilant West Ham snatch Conference League title from Fiorentina with last minute winner
June 8 – Despite being outplayed for most of the game, West Ham United ended a 58-year wait for a European trophy after Jarrod Bowen scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday in the Europa Conference League final.
Rebrov takes over as Ukraine coach in time for Euro 2024 qualifiers
June 8 – Serhiy Rebrov, the former Dynamo Kiev, Tottenham and West Ham striker, has been appointed as head coach of Ukraine on a two-year contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Swiss ad authority tells FIFA to stop lying about Qatar 2022 being carbon neutral
June 8 – FIFA’s vehemently disputed claims that the Qatar 2022 World Cup was carbon neutral has come back to haunt them, with the Swiss advertising authority deciding that FIFA was guilty of misleading consumers.
Swiss keep confidence in Blanc for third term as FA president
June 8 – Dominique Blanc (pictured) has been re-elected for a third and final term as president of Swiss Football.
Wolves extend AstroPay short sponsorship for a third season
June 8 – Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers have extended their main shirt sponsorship with global fintech company AstroPay for another season.
Concacaf rebrands Champions League to Champions Cup, expands entries and boosts prize money
June 7 – In a major rebranding move designed to embrace the confederation’s past and build identity around its new expanded club competitions, Concacaf has renamed its Champions League.