waroffutbol

  A few best players in the Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor of the FIFA Club World Cup, had an unusual tale in their playing careers.  The year of 2025 marks the year of a new global competition from the world football governing body, FIFA Club World Cup. It is the expanded version from the previous edition with 32 contestants. The tournament will be held in the summer in the USA from June 14th to July 13th. It is believed to be a warm-up tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is one of the joint hosts of. With the new format, FIFA expects to elevate the prestige of this competition, despite its controversy and the criticism from the players and managers in Europe. Prior to the FIFA Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, not the FIFA one, which was held in December 2024, was considered as the one to determine the best club in the world within the calendar year. It was a one-off match between the winners of the UEFA Champions League/Euro...

  Top managers rarely make a leap of faith by taking charge of the minnows in international football and succeed.  Being the top manager is always synonymous with the high demands from the clubs and foreign national teams. The big teams are always more preferable for those top figures as it suits their ambition. They are also accustomed to huge pressure and expectations.  However, some others take more unpopular options by taking the leap of faith with the minnows. Such is never easy, especially considering their lack of modern facilities, local bureaucracy, or, even worse, a limited number of talents. It is a huge challenge they have to face from time to time.  Recently, one of the minnows which could potentially qualify to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Indonesia, has just dismissed Shin Tae-Yong, who is considered one of South Korea’s top managers. He was the former South Korean national team boss in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they crushed the defending champi...

  Several African goalkeepers have managed to thrive in European top leagues with either silverware or individual accolades plus sealing their first choice spot. African goalkeepers have been able to gain more opportunities in European major leagues. Some have even been playing for the elite sides and won major trophies. However, not many of them were able to stay for long and have consistent form.  This season, Manchester United shot stopper, Andre Onana, is undoubtedly one of the best African goalkeepers in UEFA’s major leagues. The Red Devils are his third big club in his career. Previously, he was the key man in Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan.  Unfortunately, his stint to Old Trafford has been more notorious for his number of crucial errors. Onana’s future as the number one between the sticks is once again under threat following the series of his below par form leading to his team's defeats. Manchester United has been reportedly eyeing for a new goalie for next ...

  Certain football teams have been known for their domination at the top level in certain decades in history. The 2020s has reached the middle of the decade. Surprisingly, it also marks the beginning of an end for certain dominating teams at the top level. The most obvious one is the declining form of Manchester City. The Premier League reigning champions seem to begin their dark days with the series of defeats this season. Pep Guardiola’s men have suffered eight defeats so far when the competition is still halfway. They were beaten six times in the Premier League plus twice in UCL. Such is unthinkable considering their almost total domination in the English top flight. The 2010s practically almost belonged to the Citizens, as they won the EPL four times, followed by another four in the early 2020s. They simply bettered any other teams from 2012 to 2024. Not to mention their treble success in 2023, plus the FIFA Club World Cup in the same year. Now, they are on the verge of ...