OFC Champions League ready for kick-off

However, the introduction of a new competition in Oceania means the latest edition of OFC's premier club tournament begins amid some uncertainty

Chaotic finale overshadows inaugural Elite league stage

Shandong Taishan's final-day withdrawal undermines the Asian Champions League Elite's first season under the new format

FIFA's new Club World Cup adds uncertainty to Brazilian title race

The Brazilian championship has become increasingly predictable, but a mid-season interruption may make it less so this year

A ground-breaking new home for Taiwanese football

The island's first-ever purpose-built football stadium could be the start of a new era for the sport in Taiwan

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING CRUNCH TIME

The upcoming international break will see teams from around the world take a decisive step towards North America 2026

'This is only the beginning'

Thanks to artificial intelligence and an ambitious coach, Samoa's women have an exciting future – starting with this year's Under-17 World Cup

Tales from the 211

Exploring the weird and wonderful world of football across FIFA's 211 member nations - and beyond

AI Ahly plotting yet another African crown

Egyptian giants are eyeing their sixth consecutive CAF Champions League final as the knockout rounds begin

Pressure on, Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino faces his first big test as US head coach with the finals of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League

DEFINING PERIOD AHEAD

March's pivotal group stage qualifiers will bring the finish line into sight for some African nations, while leaving others trailing further back

ALL CHANGE ACROSS ASIA

A number of new teams are competing for a World Cup spot, and a number of new faces are taking their places in the dugouts

TUCHEL'S ENGLAND KICK THINGS OFF IN EUROPE

With most of Europe's other leading nations involved in the Nations League quarter-finals, the Three Lions dominate the World Cup qualifying spotlight

ASIA'S CHOKERS NO LONGER?

Its almost a cliché in Asia that Uzbekistan are the continent's chokers but the label could soon be removed forever. The Central Asians have managed to avoid going to the World Cup just when it was within reach. The first near-miss came in the continental play-off for the 2006 World Cup, when a win against Bahrain would have meant a final elimination match against Trinidad & Tobago. That failure — two draws but a defeat on away goals — was painful enough but, in 2014, the team missed out on an automatic spot by virtue of the narrowest goal-difference margin and then, in 2018, a victory over South Korea at home in the final game would have meant a place in Russia.

THE RACE TO JOIN ARGENTINA

The World Cup holders have almost secured their spot in North America, but who will join them?

"I've not retired. If the federation call, I'll pick up"

The Bosnian discusses his future, life as Everton's back-up goalkeeper, and not giving up on international football

PLAY LIKE IT'S THE '90s

Romania are trying to recreate their golden era by reaching their first World Cup since 1998

Nations League crunch time

Eight teams are bidding for a spot in June's UEFA Nations League finals, while several other countries are fighting for promotion or relegation

THOMAS TUCHEL'S RIGHT-HAND MAN

England's new assistant manager already has a hugely impressive CV

The road to Saudi Arabia

2027 Asian Cup qualifying returns in March with the third round group stage commencing

Power struggles in Belgrade

The brutalist, concrete exterior of the Partizan Stadium seamlessly matches the atmosphere on a grey mid-February afternoon in south Belgrade. Flecks of snow and a sense of tension are in the air.

HOW MUCH HOME ADVANTAGE IS TOO MUCH?

The question of home advantage is a contested point in South America, where vast distances and differing conditions often make life hard for the visitors. So far in this campaign there have been 32 home wins and ten away and that 3:1 ratio is standard in the continent's World Cup qualifiers.

History beckons in Champions League

Real Madrid are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history, while an unprecedented three English clubs have made it to the last eight of the UEFA competition

CAN GHANA BOUNCE BACK?

Ghana could find redemption from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying disaster sooner rather than later as a place at the next World Cup finals beckons.

The return of the king

Neymar re-joining Santos is the biggest return to Brazilian football in exactly 30 years, since Romario turned his back on Barcelona at the start of 1995 and signed for Flamengo.

South American wonderkids

Tim Vickery picks out the stars of the recent South American Under-20 Championship

The cradle of Spanish football

Spanish football is a rich and vibrant tapestry: the grandeur of El Clasico giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, a plethora of academies producing glittering talent, and a reinvigorated national team boasting a European Championship trophy.

"I'm dreaming of being the coach that will win the World Cup with an African country"

The Nigerian talks about breaking new ground as a title-winning coach in Europe, his managerial aspirations, and the coaching opportunities available for African managers on the continent

FOOTBALL IN SYRIA

A country torn apart by civil war is daring to dream of a brighter footballing future

"I was stuck in a welding bay for six hours. Fast-forward a year, I'm swapping shirts with Jordi Alba"

Less than two years ago, Calum Hall was playing part-time football in the Scottish Lowland League and working on a building site. Now he's a star of the Hong Kong Premier League and has lined up against some of football's biggest names...

Vissel Kobe chasing J. League history

The reigning champions are aiming to become the first team since Kashima Antlers 16 years ago to win a hat-trick of successive J. League crowns