Stuart Dick

November 20 – FIFA has completed the play-off draws for the 2026 World Cup following the end of the initial qualification phase.

December 16 – FC Barcelona have discontinued operations at their Hong Kong commercial office, 13 years after becoming the club’s first overseas branch in 2013. According to sources cited by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the club referenced a need to optimise resources and improve operational efficiency in the Asia-Pacific market, where the club estimate there are 247 million fans – the largest Barça community in the world. Following a thorough analysis, Read more …

December 16 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has become the first continental association to become a Sports for Nature Signatory, marking a commitment to create and sustain healthy natural environments across Oceania. A joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Olympic Committee, United Nations Environment Programme, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy – the Sports for Nature Framework boasts four principles: Protect nature and avoid damage to natural habitats Restore and regenerate nature wherever possible Understand and reduce risks to nature in supply chains Educate and inspire positive action for nature across and beyond sport “OFC has joined the Sports for Nature framework because it believes in the power of football to enhance the wellbeing of people and communities across Oceania. Read more …

April 2 – English Premier League side Newcastle United have posted record revenues of £335.3m for the year ending June 2025, but could face sanctions for breaching UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) in the process.

The Quality of Attention results provide compelling evidence that deliver an environment in which both content and advertising are more likely to be noticed, absorbed and remembered.