Making the case for youth. There isn’t one
January 13 – There have been 119 minors (players under the age of 18) who have played in the big-5 European leagues before turning 18 during the 15-year period from January 2009 to December 2023.
Iraqi-led petition has 80,000+ signatures calling for suspension of referee Faghani within 48hrs
February 1 – The fall out following Iraq’s controversial exit from the Asian Cup has continued with more than 800,000 people singing a petition on Change.org demanding that match referee Alireza Faghani be suspended.
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
The AT&T Stadium has long been a preferred venue for Concacaf matches and will host the semo-finals, third place play-off and Final of the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League.
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
The Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, will host the two play-in matches for the Copa America 2024 to be hosted in the US.
Cyprus FA meets government and asks for help in bringing violence under control
February 1 – The Cyprus Football Federation (CFA) participated in today’s session of the Legal Committee of the Parliament of Cyprus to discuss the proposals of the Council of Ministers for amending changes to the law on the prevention and suppression of violence in sports venues.
USA
Sobaclieu.com
The USA go into the Nations League finals as favourites to retain their title won last June. If they win, it will be their third title and they will maintain their record of having been the only team to have won the Concacaf Nations League that was first played in 2019/20.
Snapdragon Stadium
The Snapdragon stadium will be host to the semi-finals and the final of the first ever W Gold. It will also be used for all Group B games.
Panama
Sobaclieu.com
Panama made a big leap forward at the last Gold Cup in 2023, beating the USA in the semi-final on penalties before losing to Mexico 1-0 in the final.
Mexico
Mexico open their Concacaf Nations League Final Four campaign against Panama in the semi-finals at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, in what is a rematch of the 2023 Gold Cup final, which Mexico won 1-0.
BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
The BMO Stadium, formerly Banc of California Stadium, is a 22,000 capacity soccer specific stadium in the Exposition Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
Jamaica
Jamaica qualified for their first Nations League final four tournament on away goals scored with a second half burst of three goals in a 3-2 away win Canada to tie the overall aggregate at 4-4.
Dignity Health Sports Park
The Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, greater Los Angeles, opened the tournament with a triple header of play-in matches on February 17, followed three days later by the opening of the tournament proper and the USA’s opening game.
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas
Home to MLS side the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League, the 22,039-capacity Shell Energy (formerly the BBVA Compass Stadium) was built as a soccer-specific stadium but has been used for lacrosse, rugby, and concerts.
Japan find form with Moriyasu saying they will improve again
January 31 – Japan stuck to the script to seal their spot in the quarter finals of the Asian Cup easing past Bahrain to put a shaky looking second place finish in the group stage behind them.