waroffutbol

  Two stadiums which were once used to host the games in FIFA Club World Cup predecessor, Intercontinental Cup, no longer exist today. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is heading to the knockout stage. Some groups have completed their games with two European sides, FC Porto and Atletico Madrid, going home early, which should be good for their players’ wellness considering the congested fixtures ahead in the 2025/26 season. This expanded FIFA CWC is unlike the previous ones, with definitely more venues to be utilised. In the old format, only two or three stadiums were used during the competition, whereas this year, there are 12 venues in total spread all across the country. In its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup , only one stadium was used to hold the game in each edition, as it was merely a one-off clash between the European Cup/UCL and Copa Libertadores champions from 1980 to 2004. Previously, the match was held in a two-legged format. There have been plenty of stadiums ...

  South American managers who won the FIFA Club World Cup or its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup, are still fewer compared to European gaffers. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is in progress to the second game. The South American sides, which have been deemed underdogs, finally managed to show their quality to the world after Botafogo’s stunning victory over the Champions League winner, PSG. It is literally the first win from the CONMEBOL sides against the UEFA sides since 2012, when Tite’s Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0 in Yokohama, Japan. However, despite the Brazilian side’s unexpected victory last night, it still cannot be claimed to be fully achieved by the South American. Botafogo is currently under the tutelage of the foreign manager. The Portuguese Renato Pavia has been in charge of the club since February this year. On the contrary, Flamengo’s 3-1 victory over Chelsea can be considered as one. The 1981 Intercontinental Cup champion is led by a true South American ma...

  Bernard Lacombe, who has just passed away, was actually the real figure behind Lyon’s golden era in the 2000s. Lyon’s legend, Bernard Lacombe, reportedly departed on June 17th due to Alzheimer's. He was probably more well-known as a player due to his success at his clubs, particularly with Girondins Bordeaux in the mid-1980s, when he won three league titles plus two French Cups. However, his career on the sideline and behind the pitch was often overlooked. The former striker was also part of the Les Bleus’ squad in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cups plus EURO 1984 but might not have a memorable managerial career. His only stint as a coach was in Lyon from 1996 to 2000 without winning a single trophy in hand. Yet, Lacombe played a crucial role in Les Gones’ success in the following decade alongside the owner, Jean-Michel Aulas. Lyon became a new powerhouse in French football and won seven consecutive league titles, a record to date which even PSG or Marseille have yet to be ab...

  The FIFA Club World Cup predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup, was once notorious for its dark years involving real violence on the pitch. The FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) might have just been held for the first time in the new millennium back in 2000. Yet, this tournament has a long history with shocking facts on and off the pitch. Its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup, had an unbelievable tale in the late 1960s and 1970s, once raising concern about its future before being revitalised in the 1980s.  The Intercontinental Cup, not the one with ‘FIFA’ at the front, was once not recognised by the world football governing body despite being endorsed by the two strongest regional football confederations in the world, UEFA and CONMEBOL . It was only considered ‘a friendly match’ by FIFA. Yet, its prestige was still well recognised globally, as it featured the duel of the best clubs from Europe and South America. They are undoubtedly still the ones at the top level of internat...