in this issue
frequent readers world football You may have noticed that in recent years we’ve mentioned Poland’s top league, Ekstraklasa, a lot because of its insane competitiveness, extraordinary stories and interesting characters, so, finally, we decided to watch the 2026-27 season opener and see for ourselves.
This, along with stories from France, Romania, Wales, Italy and Denmark, is one of several secret projects we’re looking at in this issue, alongside all of Europe’s biggest leagues, including 59 players to watch this season, and turmoil at many of the biggest clubs. Finally, as the world bids farewell to two football icons, we pay tribute to Kevin Keegan and Franco Baresi.
Jamie Evans, Managing Editor
content
world this month
12 Henry Winter Cole Palmer back to top form
14 Kyle Radnich The rise of the League of Nations
16 Jonathan Wilson Arsenal summer rebuild
17 on radar
18 Jim Horton Italian football is stuck in the past
20 obituaries
22 numbers
23 transfers Summer window review
eyewitness
28 Spain How Rodri chose Barcelona over Real Madrid
30 Malaysia Inside the world’s most dominant club team – Johor Darutazim
36 Portugal The downfall of former Portuguese champion Boavista
2026-27 UEFA competitions
41 Champions League Preview Team profiles, talking points and schedule
60 Europa League Preview
62 Conference League Preview
feature
24 transfer windows 30 eye-catching deals for summer
64 Harry Kane Come face to face with the 2025-26 ESM Golden Boot winner
66 Jorge Jesus Coaching profile of Portugal’s new coach
70 International Focus New national team coach
76 Turn back time Norway v England, 1981
80 league focus Australian A-League
women’s football
82 Champions League preview
Review of the 83rd African Cup of Nations
Global service
86 Europe UEFA Nations League Preview
88 Africa 2027 African Cup of Nations Qualifying Tournament
90 CONCACAF League Cup Review, U.S. Open and National League
92 Asia ASEAN Championship Review, Arabian Gulf Cup, India vs Brazil and more
94 Oceania OFC Champions League Review
95 Sweeper 211 story