NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
12 National Teams that would have shined in 2020
The greatest honor of every soccer player is inarguably to wear their national colors. Women and men of a select 12 teams did it amazingly in 2019 and could be coming for more in 2020.
Who were MLS’ Most Valuable Teams in 2019 and Why?
Soccer is no longer small business in America.
At this point of the ABSA Premiership Season, who are the favorites?
Kaizer Chiefs haven’t really run away with it. There are at least 3 other sides breathing down their necks.
How did Arsenal fall so far and what can they do to rebuild?
The story of the Invincibles who became the Inevitables. How much longer until they rise from their ruins?
“The Women in Football Leadership Programme” – a much needed breakthrough
Lovejoy explores how the FIFA led programme could loop in huge dividends for the global soccer community.
2019; A breakthrough year for women’s soccer
It’s well in the past now, but moments that punctuated the year will forever have a place in the hall of fame of women’s soccer.
How did Borussia Dortmund become a factory for talent?
Here is a story of a club that has continually reinvented itself and now stands tall as one of the top destinations for highly-rated football talent.
2000’s Top News Stories of the Decade
We have a time machine here at FirstTouch and just used it to chew on 10 of the best moments of the decade-spanning 2010-19. Buckle up on our free tour!
FirstTouch have a fireside chat with Portland Timbers' Jeremy Ebobisse
Find out what happened when FirstTouch’s Topher Hegngi linked up with one of MLS’s top young forwards, Jeremy Ebobisse.
Is FIFA's planned $1 billion investment enough for women's soccer?
Wondering about the possible impact of FIFA’s budgeted investment into the women’s game? Lovejoy provides all the dotted is and crossed ts on a silver platter.
How is soccer keeping Niger girls in school?
In a nation where 3 out of every 4 adolescent girls dropped out of school and got married before the age of 18, football has emerged as a powerful tool to keep a substantial number in school.
FIFA’s battle to win over top clubs ahead of the revamped 2021 Club World Cup
A 24-team Club World Cup slated for 2021 seems exciting for soccer fans around the world, but there’s something else in the water.
FIFA to turn Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium into a soccer laboratory
Barcelona is taking a leap in pioneering transformative soccer technologies, find out how.
FirstTouch’s Top 5 African Male Ballers of 2019
Worry not about the so-called snoozing and losing, we got Africa’s top male players for 2019 right here.
FirstTouch’s Top 5 African Female Ballers of 2019
Worry not about the so called snoozing and losing, we got Africa’s top female players for 2019 right here.
MLS Review: Could Zlatan really be the best DP player of all time?
The best DP of all-time conversation is not as easy as it seems. Even “the Zlatan” can actually miss out on that list! Find out why.
120 years later, Is AC Milan’s journey back to the top a wild goose chase or a possibility?
As the Rossoneri celebrate 120 years since formation, we look back at why the best club in the world at its peak, is wallowing in mediocrity.
FirstTouch’s Top 10 Female Players of 2019
Check out our pick of top 10 female players of year.