Your life made easier - every day. The unrivalled authority on the game of soccer around the world, World Soccer calls upon journalists from the globe's great soccer capitals. The best writers, analytical features and the ability to deliver the inside-track on domestic and world football have made World Soccer an institution. With stunning images and a website delivering up-to-the-minute global results and authoritative insights into the players, politics and power-struggles, the brand constantly looks behind the score-lines. Its insightful writing reaches to the heart of the triumphs, scandals and controversies that constantly emerge in the greatest international sport of them all.
In pictures • The global game caught on camera
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
FROM THE EDITOR
Six countries to host 2030 World Cup
The month in numbers • Eye-catching facts and stats from the world of football this month…
The club-ownership battleground • Everton are the latest English club with an uncertain future in the directors’ box
BOOKS THIS MONTH
Arsenal’s goalkeeper gamble • Why adding competition between the sticks is a risk worth taking for Arsenal
REPORTS WE COULDN’T MAKE UP
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE • 32 Moves That Caught Our Eye This Month
OBITUARIES
On the RADAR • Spotlight on the players and coaches making waves
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT • This Christmas, give the gift of knowledge, entertainment and style with our range of branded merchandise, special editions, guides and more.
Fortaleza • The Brazilian side have made huge strides to reach this year’s Copa Sudamericana final
Victor Boniface • Nigeria forward has made an explosive start to life at Bayer Leverkusen after overcoming early career setbacks
Kim Min-jae • South Korea centre-back is the first Asian defender to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or
The US Open Cup
Central Coast Mariners: a community club defying the odds
Stars of the A-League • With the new campaign in Australia just underway, Simon Hill picks out six players who could impress before previewing the season in full on page 80…
ALL ROADS LEAD TO RIO • The iconic Maracana stadium prepares to host the biggest match in South American club football, as Fluminense face Boca Juniors on home soil
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Boca eye Copa number seven • This is no vintage Boca side, but they arrive in Rio with bags of experience and determination – and a real penalty specialist between the posts
History beckons for Fluminense • One of Brazil’s oldest football clubs stands on the verge of an historic night on home soil – led by a master goalscorer thriving in his twilight years
SPIDERMAN • How Julian Alvarez became Manchester City and Argentina’s latest superhero
Alvarez’s Honours
BRAGA THREE BECOME FOUR? • Why Braga are preparing to join Porto, Benfica and Sporting as one of Portugal’s premier clubs
THE COACH
THE KIT
THE SQUAD • (Ages as of 27.10.23)
A stadium like no other
“The challenge is to never stop aiming for more”
Talentscout
“The way we used our options…has given the team a lot of confidence” • Hajime Moriyasu’s side go into the 2023 Asian Cup as heavy favourites. Mike Plastow explains why
“We can actually create something really unique” • Since taking charge of Namibia, the former Bundesliga star has steered his country to the Africa Cup of Nations finals
“I wasn’t Messi, but I played with my soul” • Andorra’s greatest-ever player finally hangs up his boots after 26 years, 137 caps and 11 goals
“Joining Union Berlin was the right decision” • The former Celtic right-back discusses his new club and...