Iraq sack Casas after “serious breach”
April 15 – Iraq have announced the sacking of manager Jesus Casas with just two games remaining in Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Asia
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.
Urawa make it an AFC Champions League hattrick as Al Hilal left to rue missed chances
May 7 – Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds have made history as the first team to win three AFC Champions League titles, with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the second leg of the final in Saitama on Sunday.
More withdrawals from Chinese Super League as Guangzhou City folds
March 30 – The Chinese Super League has suffered another blow after Guangzhou City announced they are suspending operations.
Former Chinese Super League club Wuhan shuttered after failing to pay wages
January 26 – In a further sign of the collapse of China’s domestic game, Wuhan Yangtze, once a Super League outfit, has folded, months after a points deduction for failing to pay player salaries.
AFC sets pathway for Paris 2024 women’s qualification
January 9 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has unveiled a three-round competition structure to qualify two women’s teams for the 2024 Paris Olympics.