Qatari league gets rebrand and new title sponsor
July 29 – The Qatar Stars League (QSL) is getting a fresh coat of paint, a new name, and a financial injection, with Doha Bank stepping in as title sponsor from the 2025/26 season.
Asia
Chinese Football Association plans national esports football team
July 24 – The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced plans to launch a national esports football team, marking a new frontier for the governing body as it looks to reposition its global standing – off the pitch and into the console.
Man Utd’s troubled season prolonged by ASEAN All-Stars friendly loss
May 29 – Manchester United’s troubled season continued across the globe this week, as the club opened its commercially motivated post-season tour of Asia with a 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur – a result that quickly drew ridicule from fans and even a jab from the Malaysian Prime Minister.
Former China coach Li Tie loses appeal over bribery
May 1 – The severe consequences of corruption in Chinese football have been underscored as former national team head coach Li Tie has lost his appeal against a 20-year prison sentence for bribery offenses, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
Iraq sack Casas after “serious breach”
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April 15 – Iraq have announced the sacking of manager Jesus Casas with just two games remaining in Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Pakistan FA agrees new constitution to exit FIFA normalisation in time for Asian Cup qualifiers
February 28 – Pakistan’s return to world football could be imminent after football officials approved the federation’s new constitution.
Saudi Arabia announces first women’s football sponsorship
January 28 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has unveiled a three-year partnership with Unilever’s Rexona, marking the first-ever official sponsorship of the Kingdom’s women’s national football programme.
Katanec quits as Uzbekistan head coach for undisclosed health reasons
January 23 – Despite being close to qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time, Uzbekistan head coach Srečko Katanec resigned on Wednesday citing undisclosed health reasons.
Korean FA files racist complaint over Como abuse of Hwang Hee-chan
July 23 – The Korean FA has filed an official complaint with FIFA over an alleged racist remark directed at Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan during a recent preseason match against Italian club Como that took place in Spain.
Swedish club calls on its FA to lobby for Israel’s suspension from football
January 15 – An open letter has been sent by a Swedish sixth tier football club Proletären FF to Fredrik Reinfeldt, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, calling for the suspension of Israel from international football.
Dream Asia Foundation board notes impact across continent with focus on safeguarding
December 22 – The AFC has reaffirmed its commitment to expand its social development programmes via its Dream Asia Foundation aimed at empowering the continent’s most vulnerable communities.
£129m Neymar facing surgery and four months out of action
October 19 – Neymar’s rollercoaster season on and off the pitch has taken another damaging hit after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty.
FIFA opens first of three ticket windows for Club World Cup in Saudi
September 27 – FIFA have opened the first phase of ticket sales for the FIFA Club World Cup 2023, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
WWC2023: Kerr calls for more funding for women’s game in Aussie
August 17 – In the wake of Australia’s elimination from the Women’s World Cup, Matildas star Sam Kerr (pictured) has called for more investment in Australian women’s football.
Koulibaly exits Chelsea for Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League
June 26 – Kalidou Koulibaly has become became the latest star to join the exodus to the Saudi domestic league after moving to Al-Hilal from Chelsea on a three-year contract.