In this issue
As you read this, the 2026 World Cup will be getting underway, and this issue is all about FIFA’s showpiece event. As well as picking out 50 players we’re excited to see in North America this summer, and asking some of our experts for their predictions for the tournament, we’ve also taken a look back at some World Cup history.
We’ve got plenty more World Cup content, and not just in these pages. If you missed our World Cup guide, or our History of the World Cup special, it’s still possible to read it. Just go to shop.kelsey.co.uk/WSCBK.
We’re also giving away five subscriptions to World Soccer. To enter the competition, click here.
In next month’s issue, we’ll be reviewing the 2025-26 European domestic season.
Jamie Evans, Managing Editor
Contents
The world this month
4 In pictures
12 Henry Winter No room for Reds in Tuchel’s England
14 Keir Radnedge The modern World Cup: louder, richer, bigger
16 Jonathan Wilson Pressing at a premium
17 On The Radar Shock World Cup inclusions
18 Moves you might have missed
19 In numbers
22 ESM XI
24 Obituaries
EyeWitness
26 Romania Mircea Lucescu tribute
28 United States Football in New York
World Cup
20 Squad watch
32 50 World Cup stars to watch
44 Curacao: the diaspora debutants
48 Eloy Room interview
50 Graham Arnold
52 Sergej Barbarez
54 World Cup venues
58 Tournament predictions
60 France v Senegal, 2002 World Cup
66 COPA 71: The Unofficial Women’s World Cup
99 Turn Back The Clock Quinton Fortune
70 UEFA Champions League final
World Service
74 Asia AFC Champions League Elite
76 Africa CAF Champions League
78 Oceania OFC Pro League
80 South America Copa Libertadores
82 Mexico Liga MX
84 Australia A-League
86 Asia Saudi Pro League & Indian Super League
88 Sint Maarten
89 The Sweeper