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
4 in pictures
12 Henry Winter Newcastle United
14 Kyle Radnich FIFA and Infantino
16 Jonathan Wilson Franco Baresi
17 numbers
18 Moves You May Have Missed
19 obituaries
special tribute
20 Franco Baresi
22 Kevin Keegan
eyewitness
26 Poland Wisla Krakow return to top flight
30 Italy Lazio fans go on strike
Season preview
36 England
40 Spain
44 Germany
48 Italy
52 France
56 Portugal
58 Netherlands
60 Scotland
62 The best of the rest
feature
63 Big clubs, major rebuilds
74 League Focus Romania
76 Ligue 1 3 French football restructure
80 spotlight Luka Vuskovic
Interview
84 face to face Louis Binks
88 face to face Jordan Hardaway
115 My biggest game Lubomir Moravec
women’s football
90 European Season Preview
Global service
94 South America Uruguay, South America Cup, etc.
96 Asia Indian Premier League, J-League, SAFF Championship, etc.
98 Saudi Arabia 2026-27 Season Preview
100 Northern Cyprus Overcome isolation
101 Sweeper 211 story