Friday's soccer news starts with the Bureau of the FIFA Council officially allowing for three extra players on rosters for the 2022 World Cup. The wording here is important, with FIFA specifying that, "The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26." Naming the three additional players is not a requirement. The long-rumored tweak to . . .
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup stadiums, Seattle hosts LAFC
Friday's soccer news starts with FIFA announcing the 16 stadiums that will host games during the 2026 World Cup. Toronto's BMO Field and Vancouver's BC Place for Canada, Guadalajara's Estadio Akron, Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, and Monterrey's Estadio BBVA Bancomer for Mexico, and Arlington's AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium (New . . .
Five substitutes and a changing game
By J Hutcherson (Jun 14, 2022) US Soccer Players - On Monday, the International Football Association Board officially made five substitutes an option for any "top level competition," along with increasing the bench from 12 to 15 players. Neither of these moves were exactly surprising, but they underline issues for the contemporary game. In an era where players, officials, pundits, and fans are . . .
FIFA’s happiest New Year
By J Hutcherson (Jan 4, 2022) US Soccer Players - FIFA president Gianni Infantino's New Year message was about what we've come to expect during the current push for radical changes in world soccer. His organization's focus remains sharp. It's about already positioning the 2022 World Cup as a success while continuing to stump for it happening every other year as part of a revamped international . . .
FIFA and the potential economics of the biennial World Cup
FIFA held its Global Summit yesterday, announcing the results of two new studies focusing on the economic impact of the biennial World Cup proposal. FIFA has yet to bring that proposal to a vote, alongside revamping the international calendar starting in 2025. As understatements go, it's fair to say that both of those agenda items would potentially rework international soccer as we know it. As for . . .
What if FIFA gets its way?
By J Hutcherson (Dec 7, 2021) US Soccer Players - In theory, it's not that difficult to see FIFA's plan for the biennial World Cup as the obvious answer to an equally obvious set of issues. Holding the World Cup every four years uses the same logic as the Olympics with the same problem. Four years is a long time, especially in the short working lives of elite athletes. The calendar will adjust. . . .
The Premier League wants the calendar to balance club and country
Friday's soccer news starts with the Premier League joining those expressing serious concerns over FIFA's proposed revamps to the international soccer calendar. FIFA's plan would replace the multiple international windows with either one lasting the month of October or two with an additional window in March. The idea is to minimize the amount of travel required for players and disruption to club . . .
The future with five subs
Friday's soccer news starts with the temporary five substitute rule. The IFAB that ultimately controls the rules of soccer is now recommending FIFA makes the five subs rule permanent. Adding two additional subs as part of the compacted schedule caused by the pandemic isn't universally implemented, most notably with the Premier League deciding to opt out. In a press statement issued earlier . . .
FIFA to meet with MNT coaches over biennial World Cup plan
Monday's soccer news starts with FIFA's push for a World Cup every other summer. FIFA is holding remote meetings with MNT coaches on Tuesday and Thursday over what world soccer's governing body describes as "the future of football." That includes proposed changes to the international calendar and the plans for a biennial World Cup. “As a coach of the men`s national teams, their input is . . .
What will the winter World Cup mean for club seasons?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 13, 2021) US Soccer Players - Everyone knows the feeling. Way off in the distant future is something you need to plan for: attending a wedding, visiting family, maybe getting some important maintenance done on a house or car. There's not going to be anything surprising about it when it arrives, and so there will be no excuse if you're not ready. But then . . .
