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Long-form football features, in-depth stories and exclusive content from the Footy Times team.
Michael Ballack: Germany’s Glorious Nearly-Man
There is a photograph from the night of 25 June 2002 that captures something essential about Michael Ballack. He is sitting in the locker room at Seoul World Cup Stadium, still in his Germany kit, and he is weeping. His team had just beaten…
2026 World Cup: The 16 Cities hosting the tournament
The 2026 World Cup will not belong to one country. For the first time, three nations share it.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will stage the tournament across 16 cities. Eleven sit in the USA, three in Mexico and two in Canada.…
Best Third-Placed Teams: The 2026 Rule Explained
For most of the World Cup's history, third place meant a flight home. In 2026, it might mean a place in the knockouts. Best Third-Placed Teams: The 2026 World Cup Rule Explained.
The expanded 48-team format created an odd new problem.…
8 New Rules Coming to the FIFA World Cup: Everything You Need to Know
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina has confirmed that these regulations will be active starting from the next World Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Every Squad in Full
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June and runs through to 19 July, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time.
Each nation has registered a 26-man squad ahead of FIFA's 2 June submission…
“Dictator Mbappé” Meme Goes Viral Across Social Media
French football star Kylian Mbappé has become the center of a viral online trend known as "Dictator Mbappé," a meme that portrays the Real Madrid forward as some of history's most infamous authoritarian leaders.
The trend has gained…
The Messiah of Naples: Diego Maradona
Some football stories are written in trophies and statistics. Others are written in emotion. The story of Diego Maradona and Napoli belongs firmly to the latter.
While walking through the narrow streets of Naples, one presence is impossible…
Unsung Heroes of World Cups: Attilio Ferraris | 1934 Italy
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was held under the auspices of the Fascist regime in Mussolini’s Italy. I would love to point out the differences which the 1934 World Cup and the recent ones, but I can't help but be inundated by the similarities.…
Blood on the Sleeve: Arsenal’s Long Walk from Rwanda to Deel
Arsenal Football Club have just been crowned Premier League champions. Yet as confetti settles over the Emirates and North London celebrates its first title in over two decades, the club finds itself embroiled in a controversy that has…
Premier League Final Day: Arsenal Crowned, West Ham Relegated & Guardiola Departs
The 2025-26 Premier League season concluded with intense drama. A day of joy, distress, and emotional farewells gripped the nation. West Ham United went down. Pep Guardiola bowed out in tears. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Champagne finally popped.…