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First a message from our editor, James Andrew:
My mum isn’t a football fan, but when I was growing up, she always used to ask me: “When does the bloody football season end? It seems like it goes on forever.” It didn’t back then, but now it does feel as though she’s right!
There doesn’t seem to have been much of a break, with the Club World Cup last summer, the Women’s Euros, the last domestic season and then the World Cup, but here we are, back for the start of another campaign.
The World Cup, of course, was the biggest ever, and even though 104 matches over 39 days seemed like a lot, there was plenty to be excited by in the USA, Canada and Mexico. What happens at that tournament often flows into domestic football during following seasons, but while there was much to enjoy, I hope we don’t see dynamic ticket prices, hydration breaks and ludicrously hiked-up travel prices spill into our game.
As always at the start of a new campaign, there are plenty of questions being posed. Will reigning champions Arsenal go on a run of domestic dominance? Can Manchester City fight for the title without Pep Guardiola? How will Southampton deal with the fallout from the Spygate scandal? And after their epic National League title battle, can York and Rochdale push for a second successive promotion this time around?
All that and more will be answered in the year ahead. Enjoy the season.
James
North London forever
Arsenal won their first Premier League title for 22 years – now they will start this season looking to retain their title for the first time in almost a century. Eberechi Eze has his say on the title win and upcoming defence.
Coventry City – back in the big time
Having lost in the Play-Offs two season’s ago, Coventry bounced back in style last season by winning the Championship. Now they are preparing for a return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
What’s changed ahead of the 2026-27 season
Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, Andoni Iraola in at Liverpool, Sunderland and Bournemouth in Europe and Lee Trundle still playing at 50. FourFourTwo give you the run down on everything to look out for this season.
Unhappy anniversary
As West Ham prepare for life in the Championship, club legend Tony Gale looks back on the club’s decade away from Upton Park and the life at the London Stadium.
Henry Winter meets Kasper Schmeichel
As the Danish keeper hangs up his gloves he speaks about his career with the renowned journalist and the terrible night that he will never forget
The Boy’s a Bit Special
Get the lowdown on the son of a Premier League icon making waves for club and country and the midfielder already making waves in the Premier League.
Around the Grounds
Former Spurs and England striker Jermain Defoe talks about his first job in management with National League side Woking.
Elsewhere, Llandudno appoint a 24-year old PE teacher as their new gaffer. And we prepare for York and Rochdale to do battle again, but this time back in the Football League.
In a brand new feature ‘Beyond the Turnstiles’ we take a trip to the Dripping Pan and tell you why it should be on your bucket list of grounds to visit.
In the Players Lounge this month…
Sir Geoff Hurst talks World Cup final hat-tricks, Georgi Kinkladze on his love for Maine Road and Neil Sulivan on being lobbed by David Beckham
The Mixer
Our latest merch round-up features Admiral’s latest kit collab, Sunderland’s new pink and black away kit, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly RGN Gold and Barca’s new home kit.
We spy a 2020-21 Loch Ness in Classic Kit and let you know the TV series will be your next binge.
David Luiz answers YOUR questions
The former Chelsea, Arsenal and Brazil defender on his love for Benfica, contract mix-ups and becoming a fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge
Upfront
Think you’re a football expert? Prove it by getting 100 per cent in our Ultimate Quiz. With the World Cup now over, Jules Breach reflects on what it was like covering games for Fox Sport in Mexico and the passion the fans there show
Diego Forlan selects the games that changed his life, and the FFT crew discuss their experience of the World Cup. We also sit down with golfer Ian Poulter to discuss all things Arsenal.
Former Liverpool man Djibril Cisse hails sporting geniuses and a DJ in the People I Admire.
Perfect XI
Kolo Toure picks his ultimate XI from former teammates made up of Arsenal legends and Premier League stars
Over 140 teams reviewed and rated in our guide to the new season
Our annual 100 pages team-by-team guide is packed with everything you need to know ahead of the new season. With over 140 teams from the Premier League to the National League, this is the ultimate guide to the new domestic season.