World Cup 2026 will see a record number of veteran players, including Lionel Messi (39) and Cristiano Ronaldo (41), with 7 players over 40. This trend is attributed to advancements in sports science and tournament expansion, though concerns remain about their impact on team performance.
Paris Saint-Germain has won the Champions League, a feat only Real Madrid had achieved since 1990. Their victory, marked by dominant performances against top European clubs, signals a new era of dominance, though questions linger about the cost to domestic competition and the source of their wealth.
Paris Saint-Germain has won the Champions League, a feat only Real Madrid had achieved since 1990. Their victory, marked by dominant performances against top clubs like Bayern and Liverpool, highlights their attacking prowess and midfield control. The team's success is attributed to its star players, strong financial backing from Qatar Sports Investments, and a model that blends technical quality with directness.
The Premier League season concluded with Arsenal as champions, highlighting the league's brutal competitiveness and the punishment for any slip-ups. Key narratives included Tottenham's near-relegation, West Ham's spectacular mismanagement, and Sunderland's remarkable rise to seventh place, challenging the dominance of wealthy clubs.
Mathys Tel’s stupid penalty concession underlines being Spursy is just who Spurs are to leave them still within sight of West HamYou’re 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go. You’re about to win your first home league game in 156 days. You’re well on top and playing your best football in 18 months. If you can just see it through you’ll be four points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go, crisis all but averted. And then your left winger attempts an overhead in the corner of your own box and kicks an opposing centre-back in the head nearly eight feet off the ground. It may have been the highest altitude penalty awarded in the Premier League this season; it was certainly the stupidest. Never underestimate the Spursiness of this Spurs.The gap to West Ham is two points. Spurs must go to Chelsea four days after the FA Cup final then face Everton at home. West Ham have Newcastle away and Leeds at home. But perhaps the most important aspect is the sense that the momentum has shifted. The pendulum that had seemingly been swinging decisively towards Tottenham has slowed; it could easily swing back again. Continue reading...
The Gunners’ title charge was strengthened by a goal called back, in a perfect encapsulation of what modern soccer has becomeSign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletterA corner. A melee. Bodies everywhere. Blocks and tugs, pulls and shoves. A VAR decision. Fury. Empty noise. A title perhaps decided; a significant impact on the relegation battle. Shouting. Confused pundits ranting. Social media figures rallying to the side they were always going to take. Welcome to modern soccer.After what looked like an injury-time equaliser for West Ham was ruled out on Sunday, Arsenal now need only to beat Burnley and Crystal Palace to be sure of their first Premier League title in 21 years. In the relegation scrap, West Ham are a point behind Tottenham, who play at home to Leeds, now safe, on Monday evening. But the big issue is a VAR decision. Of course it is: this is 2025-26. Continue reading...
The eggheads can argue the head coach is merely an interchangeable cog in a team’s fortunes – but emotion counts in an ever-changing game Your manager has fallen out with the sporting director and results have gone awry, so you replace him. Easily done, it happens. But then it turns out that the new manager could not be more ill-suited to the squad, results go awry and so you replace him.A bad leader would hesitate and hope things worked out, but you are ruthless and decisive and turn to a manager who was once a youth player at the club and has some anecdotes about the old days. But it turns out some people think his methods are old‑fashioned and results go awry, so you replace him. Continue reading...
As soccer fans turn their attention to the future of the sport in the States, we revisit four oft-overlooked moments – and one famous kick – that shaped its pastThis was originally published in the newsletter The World Behind the Cup. Sign up for it here.The last time the US hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, many Americans viewed soccer as a game they watched their kids play on Saturday mornings, not the world’s most beloved sport. Thirty-two years later, the sport has exploded in popularity and the USA have become a regular fixture at World Cups. But many people don’t realize the US’s World Cup history extends all the way back to the first tournament staged – when the US men had their best-ever finish, reaching the semi-finals.The tale of those connected with the US team is often bleak, but it’s also more deeply rooted and richer than is often appreciated. As US soccer fans turn their attention to the future of the sport, we revisit four often overlooked moments – and one widely celebrated kick – of the USA’s early World Cup history.This was originally published in the newsletter The World Behind the Cup. Sign up for it here. Continue reading...
The newly found belief Mikel Arteta’s side have shown has now carried them into the Champions League finalThere is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Arsenal, having failed to capitalise on so many opportunities over the past few years, have suddenly and not entirely expectedly seized their chance. A week ago, their course seemed uncertain, the waters choppy; quite abruptly, the skies have cleared and, the wind in their sails, Arsenal are sailing on towards potential glory.Atlético tested them and they came through it to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. Whether it’s Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern they will meet in Budapest, that challenge will be very different to this one but the important thing is they are there. It was perhaps inevitable that if they were going to go through it would be 1-0, not just for old times’ sake but because this was an old-fashioned kind of semi‑final, won not through the sort of attacking pyrotechnics of the first leg of PSG v Bayern, but through discipline and resolve. Continue reading...
Sunday’s edition of the famous rivalry felt like the least important in years, except for the uncertain futures of both managersSign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletterIt’s been a long time since a Manchester United v Liverpool game felt of less consequence. These are the two most successful sides in English league history, hailing from neighbouring cities and they have a rivalry that stretches back well over a century. Yet it felt perhaps only the seventh-most significant fixture of the weekend, behind the games involving the two title contenders, Arsenal and Manchester City, and the four sides still scrapping to avoid joining Wolves and Burnley in being relegated this season – Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham.United’s 3-2 win sealed their place in next season’s Champions League while, barring very odd swings of goal difference, Liverpool need just three points from their remaining three games to be certain of their own qualification. For both, the biggest issue now is deciding who manages them next season – and this was a ragged enough game to cast doubts over the suitability of Michael Carrick and Arne Slot for their respective sides. Continue reading...
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson and Barney Ronay to discuss all the weekend’s Premier League actionRate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.On today’s pod: Arsenal deliver what some are calling a “statement victory” with a commanding 3-0 win over Fulham. With Bukayo Saka back and firing and Viktor Gyökeres grabbing two goals, are they still the team to beat in the title race? Continue reading...
Sánchez plays long game for McFarlane, Southampton can take heart, Arteta tries to gain edge and Isak will come good One moment from their FA Cup semi-final to Chelsea will haunt Leeds. When Tosin Adarabioyo stretched for a through ball and couldn’t quite get there, quarter of an hour in, everything seemed to slow down. There was Brenden Aaronson with just Robert Sánchez to beat, with the chance to put Leeds ahead against a side that hadn’t scored in five Premier League games and had seemingly lost all confidence. Even at the time it felt a huge moment. The US international didn’t do much wrong, but Sánchez made a fine save with his foot. That, it turned out, was the game. There were other opportunities – most notably Anton Stach’s drive that Sánchez saved spectacularly and the Dominic Calvert-Lewin header just after that, aimed straight at the keeper. They came after Chelsea had taken the lead and the emotional tone was set, though. Sometimes one chance can define a game. Jonathan WilsonFA Cup semi-final report: Chelsea 1-0 LeedsJonathan Wilson: Chelsea chaos theory delivers another trophy chanceFA Cup semi-final report: Manchester City 2-1 Southampton Continue reading...
Manchester City beat Arsenal in a tight title-race clash, putting Pep Guardiola's side in control of the Premier League. The game was decided by fine margins - Eze's shot, Gabriel hitting the woodwork, and Havertz missing a late chance. City had 15 chances to Arsenal's 9. Arsenal, who have won only one of their last five games, remain five points behind but have a game in hand. Gabriel escaped a red card for a head flick on Haaland, while Rodri's groin injury is a concern for City.
The author argues that the FIFA World Cup should be decentralized and spread across multiple global cities to prevent authoritarian leaders from using the tournament for image-laundering and to reduce the financial and ethical burdens on host nations.
