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A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
The USA are back to back champs. Even though European nations are making progress, substance must always trump style.
A second consecutive and record 4th FIFA World Cup title is certainly something to shout about. The word is dominance, it spells dominance. However, hidden in the narrative are the stern challenges of Spain, France, England and the Netherlands, that the USWNT faced enroute to their 2019 title. Substance did trump style and we get to explore the meaning of the win, both for America and women’s football in general.
2019 WWC Review: After all the African teams failed to make it past the Round of 16, What’s next for the game in Africa?
The progress is evident, but we need more. We look back at Africa’s overall performance at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, seek to understand why, explore some of the challenges plaguing women’s football on the continent and suggest a few solutions.
2019 WWC Review: Five Breakout Stars of the Tournament (Stars of the future)
A 23-year-old all-time top goal scorer for her nation, two young midfield maestros who seemingly drink ice for breakfast, an audacious forward who is in the top 0.01% when it comes to dribbles and tricks, and finally an explosive African queen, the face of the continent’s football both now and in the near future. They are all here. Our fast five of all the breakout stars at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Can host nation France follow in the Men’s team’s footsteps?
A new hunt is on the horizon and blank history books are going to be opened for keen writers to leave their mark. Same FIFA World Cup tournament but this time, it’s the women who get to have their say.
Women’s FIFA World Cup: Group A, “The Group of Death”
The hosts are No. 4 in on world the rankings and will have the home crowd behind them, as they try to duplicate their fellow men’s side, Les Bleus’ title triumph in Russia last year and live up to high expectations in the pool that pundits, arguably, called as “Group of Death”, comprising of the hosts France, Norway, Korea Republic and Nigeria. Below we zoom into Group A of the women’s world cup and analyze each team’s chances of progressing to the next stage of the tournament.
The US may be the favorites, but who could prevent them from winning back to back?
The major competition for the US comes from England, France, Germany and Japan who have all recorded standout performances in the leading up to the 2019 FIFA World Cup, putting them among the favorites to win the title and dethrone the US women from their long-held position as the best team in the world.
FT 2019 Women's World Cup Stadium Guide
A total of 24 nations from the continents of the globe will get a chance to tour and play across nine of the most scenic and historically rich venues and cities in the French nation.
Is Mbappe, the next big “thing” after Ronaldo and Messi?
After winning the coveted world cup gold at 20 years of age, there aren’t a lot of more things to win for Kylian. Yet he is still going too strong, boasting of stats which were previously associated with only Messi and Ronaldo.
The curious case of Pogba's pendulum-like performances
Pogba has been absolutely on fire since Solskjaer took the reigns at Man U with 4 goals and 4 assists since? But it wasn’t too long ago where many were questioning if Pogba would regain his consistency. Check out our take on if the New Pogba is here to stay.
Nicolas Pépé - The Ivorian wonder who owned Ligue 1 in September
The 23-year-old Ivorian who scooped the French Ligue 1 Player Of The Month Award. Yes, ahead of Mbappe or Neymar. Find out what makes the LOSC Lille forward tick.
Issa Diop swears allegiance to France not Senegal or Morocco
West Ham’s 21-year-old defender who could have played for either of two African countries pledges allegiance to 2018 World Cup Champions, France. Tinotenda Magiya takes you on journey of this all too common plight of players with African roots and proposes some solutions.
Is Dembele ready to share Messi's Barcelona "burden"?
Barcelona seem to be in need of a fix right now and yes, Messi could be it. But for how long will the La Liga giants hinge on the five time World’s Best Player’s abilities? With the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, Ousmane Dembele looking a different player, is it perhaps time for the five time Champions League winners to think ahead and find new heroes?
FT Impact Player Series: Is Man City's Ben Mendy, Superhuman?
At just 24, Benjamin Mendy has won the FIFA World Cup, French Ligue 1 and English Premier League title. With his playing style unique to him, is he poised to usher in a new generation of full-backs?
FT Hidden Gem Series: Who is Tinotenda Kadewere?
The young Zimbabwe warriors striker is quite just a pin in the haystack of global football right now. But he helped Swedish outfit Djugardens to a an unlikely title, won the COSAFA prize with his nation and got signed by French Ligue 2 side this summer, Le Havre. What we see in him, we have seen in many other younger players that left a mark, he is on the up.
FT African Legends Series: Salif Keita, a forgotten hero?
We reminisce the days of “The Black Pearl of Bamako,” the player who scored goals for fun in the Ligue 1, La Liga and pioneered the conquest of the Major League Soccer for players close to retirement.
FT French Ligue 1 Preview: PSG must win the UEFA Champions League to keep Neymar
Neymar has committed his near future to PSG, but can the Parisians expect the Brazilian to stay if they don’t secure a Champions League title soon?
FT English Premier League Preview: Can Pogba Help Lead Man United To The Title?
World Cup winner Paul Pogba will look to continue his winning ways with Manchester United this season.
FT Post World Cup 2018: The Day Morocco Bullied Portugal
Morocco completely took the game to Portugal and dominated the game despite losing out 1-0 in a Group B FIFA World Cup clash in Russia 2018.