In this issue…
Welcome to the first World Soccer of 2025.
This issue is focused on the future, with our global network of football experts picking 50 of the best young talents on the planet. Remember the names – you’ll be hearing them again. Indeed, many of them may well be in action at the 2034 World Cup, which recently had Saudi Arabia confirmed as its host by FIFA. We sent Samindra Kunti to Riyadh for the announcement. As well as looking forwards, there’s also space to wrap up a number of the domestic league campaigns that concluded at the end of 2024.
Jamie Evans, managing editor
Contents
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
4 In pictures
10 Henry Winter The Voice of football
12 Keir Radnedge The Insider
14 Jonathan Wilson Technically Speaking
18 Obituaries
20 Moves you might have missed
21 The month in numbers
22 ESM XI
EYEWITNESS
24 Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup
28 France Red Star Paris
32 Denmark Midtjylland
FEATURES
37 Football’s 50 Wonderkids
50 Spotlight on Jordan
54 Spotlight on Kwasi Poku
60 Eye on MCOs Scotland
FACE TO FACE
58 Morena Ramoreboli
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
64 Euro 2025 draw & play-offs round-up
65 European leagues mid-season review
SEASON REVIEWS
70 Brazil
72 Argentina
74 South American round-up
76 United States
78 Mexico
80 Japan
WORLD SERVICE
68 Saudi Arabia FIFA Intercontinental Cup review
82 Kuwait Arabian Gulf Cup review
84 Southeast Asia ASEAN 2024 Championship review
86 CONCACAF Champions Cup preview
88 Africa CHAN 2024 preview
90 South America Under-20 Championship preview
92 Dominican Republic Cibao lead the rise
93 Sweeper Tales from the 211
