The Pulse of Football

Apr

2026

FotMob Profile: Palermo are back to looking pretty in pink

Palermo have been through it. The club have been bankrupted twice, three former presidents have passed away since 2022, and they were relegated to Italian football’s fourth division due to financial mismanagement. Now, things are finally starting to look up.

By Alex Roberts

On the pitch, in the stands and the boardroom, Palermo have always been chaotic. Unfortunately, it caught up to them in 2019, with the club going into liquidation and originally relegated to Serie C before it was then ruled a demotion to Serie B would be sufficient.

Sounds bad, right? Well, it gets worse. Unable to pay the remigration fee for Italy’s second flight, Palermo went under and were resurrected as a ‘phoenix club’, technically named SSD Palermo, although they made sure to stick with the iconic pink kit.

It was devastating. Palermo is a one club city, young fans are taught to love the club by those generations who came before, insisting that the fact they have never won a major trophy matters little to the community that’s been built.

They’ve come close on a couple of occasions, most notably losing the 2011 Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan, back when they had the likes of Josip Iličić, Fabrizio Miccoli and Javier Pastore on their teamsheet.

As the dust settled, the reborn club got back to business and the fans came out in numbers, setting a Serie D attendance record of 17,000, which still stands today. They were promoted to Serie C at the first time of asking in 2019/20.

Two seasons in Serie C flew by, and after Palermo managed to earn promotion back to Serie B in 2022, everything changed. City Football Group flew in and bought an 80% stake in the club for a reported £11.2 million.

That does put somewhat of a dampener on this being a true underdog/rags to riches kind of stories, but it’s the way of the world. Multi-club ownership won’t be going away any time soon, and so long as they have a club to support, Palermo fans will be happy.

Credit where it’s due, City Football Group have calmed the boardroom chaos, don’t worry, it’s still there on the pitch and in the stands. They haven’t gone full BlueCo, throwing mud at the wall and hoping some of it will stick, they’ve taken a more measured approach.

That doesn’t mean money hasn’t been spent. Palermo have a positive net spend of €44.14 million since the takeover, meaning they’ve spent more money on players than they’ve brought in by a considerable margin.

All of that investment is really starting to pay off this season. An eighth-place finish and a play-off loss to Juve Stabia in 2024/25 lit a fire under Palermo, and they’re now well placed to potentially push for automatic promotion.

Ex- Parma, Juventus, and AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, brother of former Inter Milan boss Simeone, was appointed last July. He now has Palermo in fourth on 61 points, four off Monza in second and nine above Catanzaro in fifth.

For those that have had even a passing interest in Italian football, it should be unsurprising that Palermo play a back three. Now, that in and of itself isn’t necessarily an issue, but given recent development with the Italian national team, it could be seen as outdated.

As a player, Inzaghi was known for playing right on opposition defensive lines, Sir Alex Ferguson once famously described him as “born offside.” It’s clear as day that he’s instructed his defenders on how to prevent forwards from slipping in behind. As a manager, Inzaghi has become a Serie B promotion expert, having lead Venezia, Benevento, and Pisa all back to the promised land of Serie A in recent seasons.

Palermo are not too bothered about possession, averaging 48.5% per 90 minutes, keeping a league high 15 clean sheets so far this season. With that been said, they still create plenty of chances, 85 big ones to be exact.

They press hard, winning possession in the final third 3.8 times per 90, but they don’t fly into tackles, averaging 13.5 per match. All in all, they’re a very well coached side, cool under pressure and confident in their abilities to get over the line.

Inzaghi has plenty of fantastic players at his disposal, but none are as important as Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo. Palermo’s attack is so reliant on the 31-year-old, we’re talking early 2025/26 Erling Haaland at Man City levels of dependence.

Pohjanpalo, signed from current Serie B leaders Venezia in February 2025, is the divisions current top scorer with 21 goals in his 32 games, a massive eight goals ahead of Pescara’s Antonio Di Nardo.

To make just how good Pohjanpalo has been even more stark, Palermo’s second highest scorer is playmaker Jérémy Le Douaron on five. It’s safe to say that if Inzaghi’s side do manage to earn promotion back to the promised land, Pohjanpalo is due his flowers.

Perhaps most importantly, especially for a club like Palermo, he’s integrated into the city. “It feels like home,” he told Forbes. “It’s the welcome that the fans gave me from the first day at the stadium. It’s been incredible.”

The goalscorers are glamorous, and sticking the ball in the back of the net is the most tangible statistic in football, but there are others who deserve a mention. 32-year-old Mattia Bani has been near perfect at the heart of their defence.

FotMob’s highest rated Palermo player of the season so far, so you know he’s good, Bani has made an incredible 298 defensive contributions, including 41 tackles, 90 recoveries, and 188 clearances.

He’s not a bad passer of the ball either, completing 948 at a success rate of 84.3%, along with 70 accurate long balls with a success rate of 48.6%. Bani likes to pop up with a goal too, scoring three, two of which have come in Palermo’s last two games.

We don’t want to say that Palermo are back, because they could still be playing in Serie B next season, it’s not like they’re running away with the title and promotion is guaranteed. The signs are good though, and it feels like a matter of time before they do get back to the big time.

Palermo may not have many trophies or superstar players, but they’re a huge club all the same. The worst is now behind them, now they can finally focus on the future.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie B on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Apr

2026

FotMob Profile: Nico Paz has the world at his feet

The 2026 World Cup is certain to be Lionel Messi’s international swansong for Argentina and what a ride it has been, but his heir in waiting will also be in the squad.

By Ross Kilvington

From his first goal at the tournament in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro to finally getting his hands on the trophy in 2022, Messi moved the needle, going from one of the brightest talents in the game to arguably the finest player in history.

He will turn 39 during the tournament and while Messi is used to playing in the Florida heat, his role might be somewhat diminished compared to previous tournaments.

As such, Lionel Scaloni will be expecting other members of the squad to step up to the mantle and prove that there can be life without the Inter Miami superstar.

Talents such as Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone and Thiago Almada all featured in the 2-1 friendly victory over Mauritania last week as Scaloni began to fine-tune his squad.

It was Nico Paz, however, who delivered the finest audition on what was just his third international start. In the process, he bolstered his chances of making the starting XI for Argentina’s opening tie in North America against Algeria.

Paz showcased his talents against Mauritania

With the clash against Mauritania expected to be a relatively one-sided affair, Scaloni gave Paz a start, unleashing the former Real Madrid prodigy on the right of a three-man attack.

Enzo Fernández opened the scoring, but it was Argentina’s second of the evening which really got the supporters off their seats. A free-kick was won after 30 minutes and the Como attacking midfielder was tasked with the responsibility.

Perhaps it was Messi watching on from the bench or perhaps it was a need to conjure up something special in a bid to impress Scaloni, but Paz scored his first international goal by cooly dispatching the free-kick to make it 2-0.

Messi’s admiration for the goal was evident and if this is a sign of things to come from the 21-year-old, then the future of Argentinian football might be in good hands.

Although it was his goal that naturally drew the plaudits, Paz did also succeed with two of his three dribble attempts throughout the first half, along with taking five touches in the opposition penalty area and chipping in with four defensive contributions.

*Paz player traits compared to similar players in top 5 leagues*

Scaloni made some changes for the friendly game against Zambia, which saw Paz drop to the bench in favour of Messi, who started the game on the right side of a three-man attack.

Paz did come on as a second-half substitute, replacing Almada with 16 minutes remaining. The attacking midfielder enjoyed a lively cameo, taking a shot while also succeeding with his only dribble attempt and made four carries.

Argentina will play Honduras on June 6 and Serbia three days later in what will be their final friendly matches before the start of the World Cup.

Between now and then, Paz will be determined to finish the campaign strongly for Como and give his chances of starting a massive boost.

The next few weeks could be crucial for Paz

Up until this point, Paz has been in sensational form for Como, playing a major role in I Biancoblù’s run to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia along with leading them to fourth in Serie A.

Champions League football is a real possibility. Across his 29 league games for the Italian side this term, Paz has scored ten goals while chipping in with six assists.

His performances have been so good that Paz ranks among the top 5% in his position when compared to others in Serie A across a range of metrics.

Big chances created (11), shots on target (41), successful dribbles (55) and possession won in the final third (23) are just a few of those metrics, demonstrating his effectiveness in the final third.

Paz’s versatility has also been on show for Como this season. The attacking midfielder has started almost every game as a number ten under Cesc Fàbregas, but he does have a tendency to drift out to the right wing.

*Paz’s passing stats in Serie A this season*

“Nico is a very offensive player, we want to exploit his characteristics on the pitch. He is an attacking midfielder but also an 8. An 8 or a 10.” Said Fàbregas earlier this season on his protégé.

The reality is, however, that Paz is clearly a mixture of both roles. He has the attacking capabilities to function perfectly as a number 10 – as evidenced this season with his 16 goal contributions in Serie A – but the youngster is adept at connecting phases and covers a lot of ground during matches.

This ability to operate across a few positions is a major strength, something that Scaloni could use to his advantage throughout the World Cup this summer.

The World Cup winning coach tends to favour a 4-3-3- system, which differs from what Paz is used to with Fàbregas’s 4-2-3-1 formation at Como.

As such, he might have to make do with being deployed out wide on the right if called upon in North America.

*Paz’s possession stats in Serie A this season*

As demonstrated during the first half of the match against Mauritania, though, the 21-year-old was highly effective in this role and he might well turn out to be Argentina’s secret weapon.

The next few weeks are crucial. If he continues his fine form and leads Como to the Champions League and wins the Coppa Italia, Scaloni might just be tempted to unleash him from the start against Algeria on June 17.

Messi could be saying his goodbyes, but in Paz, Argentina have a new talisman ready to take over.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Argentina game with FotMob in the build up to the World Cup – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2026

Bromley closing in on historic League Two promotion

Bromley are more than a decade older than the two professional clubs closest to them in South East London, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, but until just over a decade ago, they’d never played in a national division.

By Tom Hancock

Founder members of the Southern League in 1894, Bromley didn’t venture to the north of England with regularity until the 2015/16 season – when they got their first taste of the National League, having been promoted as National League South champions.

The Ravens finished a very creditable 14^th that campaign and went on to record top-half finishes in seven of the next eight seasons, culminating with a third-placed finish in 2023/24 – and subsequent promotion via the play-offs to reach the EFL for the first time in their history, becoming the 145^th club to play League football.

Twelve months later, they fell only four points short of a League Two play-off berth at the first attempt; now, they’re on course to bypass the play-offs altogether. Andy Woodman’s side just lost for the first time in 22 games and boast the only unbeaten home league record in the top four divisions this term. With six matches to go, promotion is within their grasp – and so is the title.

“When we go up,” says Machel St Patrick Hewitt of independent site From Bromley with Love, speaking ahead of the Ravens’ surprise 2-1 defeat to Barrow, “Andy’s going to – and rightly so – get all the plaudits.”

Machel makes a point of looking ahead to when Bromley go up and not if – such has been the optimism instilled in the club not just by Woodman but by his predecessors in the dugout and those behind the scenes.

“[Owner and chairman] Robin Stanton-Gleaves also will get all the plaudits,” Machel continues, “and there’ll be [a lot written] about what they’ve done over the last five years – and rightly so.”

Born and bred in the area, Stanton-Gleaves has been at the helm since 2019. He’s overseen an ongoing transformation of the club – which, off the pitch, has included expanding the Ravens’ Hayes Lane home and bringing training facilities onto a par with those of some Championship clubs.

“But actually,” Machel emphasises, “the story starts about 20 years ago…” – when Bromley’s fortunes were transformed by the return of legendary manager George Wakeling, who first took charge back in 1990. Now a club ambassador with a stand named after him, Wakeling is credited by Machel with kickstarting the Ravens’ rise.

Within months of Wakeling’s December comeback, Bromley were promoted from the eighth tier to the seventh, before one-time Crystal Palace chairman Mark Goldberg led them to the sixth then seventh tiers.

At that point, Bromley were still a part-time club, but the wheels of professionalism would soon be in motion, and by 2017 the Ravens were a fully fledged, full-time National League outfit with EFL ambitions.

A first National League play-off appearance came at the end of the 2020/21 campaign – which resulted in a quarter-final exit to Hartlepool United – and a second followed two years later, the Ravens losing in the semis to Chesterfield on that occasion.

Arguably no one epitomises Bromley’s ascent to their headiest-ever heights better than Michael Cheek, their attacking spearhead who’s top-scored for them in each of the last six seasons and counting. Just like Bromley, Cheek – who arrived from Ebbsfleet United in 2019 – had never played League football until 2024, making his League Two debut, and marking it with a goal, less than two weeks shy of his 33^rd birthday – and just like Bromley, he’s taken to the fourth tier seamlessly, winning the EFL League Two Player of the Season and PFA League Two Players’ Player of the Year awards for 2024/25.

*Bromley’s top contributors this season*

Experience has been a key facet of the Bromley success story: fellow forwards Nicke Kabamba and Corey Whitely are 33 and 34 respectively, the former notching 12 League Two goals this term. Other integral members of the seventh-oldest squad in the division include 31-year-old winger Mitch Pinnock, a proven player in the division above, and 30-year-old centre-back Omar Sowunmi – while 34-year-old ex-Arsenal man Carl Jenkinson and promotion-winning captain Byron Webster, now 39, continue to play bit-part roles.

Manager Woodman – a former goalkeeper who played for the likes of Northampton Town, Oxford United and Brentford – is less experienced by comparison, having only had a brief stint in charge of Whitehawk before taking the reins at Hayes Lane in 2021, but the 54-year-old has exponentially increased his stock with Bromley, lifting the 2021/22 FA Trophy then triumphing in the National League play-offs – beating Wrexham and Solihull Moors in the respective Wembley finals. He’s bound to be a boss in demand this summer.

Bromley’s charge towards League One proves that effectiveness trumps aesthetics, certainly in the lower reaches of the EFL. The Ravens average the joint second-lowest possession in League Two (43.6%) and complete the fewest passes per game (149.3) – both indicators of their direct approach – but their non-penalty expected goals (xG) output of 55.27 makes them the division’s fourth-most creative side, with only three teams scoring more goals than their 63 – of which a league-high 24 have come from set-pieces. What they’re doing works.

Conversely, Bromley do give up chances – they concede 1.25 xG per game on average – but not many of those result in goals, with only Cambridge and Oldham Athletic letting in fewer than the Ravens’ 1 goal per game. It’s a mark of how defensively active Woodman’s men are, ranking right up there in League Two for ground duel success, interceptions and blocks.

However, promotion could necessitate a shift in style, with Machel calling the jump between Leagues One and Two – considerably greater than the comparative hop from National League to League Two – “the demarcation point” where tactical flexibility becomes of the essence.

Bromley’s ageing squad will also need upgrading – and while the Ravens’ relatively modest budget (they had the second-lowest wage bill in League Two last term) won’t allow a full-scale overhaul, Woodman has a trick up his sleeve.

“If I ever had to say what Andy has done best beyond the spirit he’s created in the club,” considers Machel, “I think he’s played the loan market exceptionally well. Every year, he has managed to get a loanee that has then kicked on their career.”

A standout recent example would be Danny Imray, who spent last season on loan from Palace – a club with whom Bromley share close ties – and is now on loan at Championship West Brom, following a stint with League One Blackpool.

“I think Bromley have gained a reputation now,” Machel continues. “I’m fairly certain that if you’re a player with the right age demographic or profile…[you] look at Bromley as a step-up club.”

And with six games left – three of them at fortress Hayes Lane – it’s still in Bromley’s hands for them to make their biggest step up yet. Barely a decade after the Ravens finished their season with a 2-1 defeat to Gosport Borough, a meeting with Leicester City – Premier League champions the year that Bromley completed their maiden National League campaign as part-timers – is a distinct possibility.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every League Two game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2026

Hugo Ekitike could be pivotal to France’s chances at this summer’s World Cup

When France won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, the goals were shared out among the squad in what was a true team effort.

By Ross Kilvington

Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Zinedine Zidane, Youri Djorkeff, Bixente Lizarazu, Christophe Dugarry and even Lillian Thuram all scored at least once at the finals.

Curiously, striker Stephane Guivarc’h was not one of them. While his contributions to the triumph were still praised, he played 268 minutes without scoring.

France won a second World Cup in Russia 20 years later and it was a case of Deja Vue for Les Blues. Olivier Giroud was tasked with leading the line in 2018, but like Guivarc’h, he failed to find the back of the net.

Giroud was lauded for his ability to hold the ball up, creating space for Kylian Mbappé and Antonie Griezmann to exploit in the final third.

This summer, Didier Deschamps – who will lead France for the last time – might well have a striker who is ready to enjoy a goal-laden World Cup.

Hugo Ekitike shone against Brazil in a friendly last week and his relationship with Mbappé could be vital in North America this summer.

Hugo Ekitike’s international career is set to take off

Despite his talent, Ekitike only made his debut for France in September 2025 against Ukraine. He scored against the same opponents in his fifth appearance playing as a centre-forward during a 4-0 victory.

Deschamps unleashed the youngster from the start in the glamour friendly against Brazil and the 2018 world champions delivered a powerful statement of intent.

Mbappé opened the scoring in Foxborough, before Ekitike scored his second international goal, netting a delightful little chip that was reminiscent of Hernan Crespo’s effort in the 2005 Champions League final.

Friendly or not, Ekitike proved to Deschamps that he has what it takes to thrive against an elite nation. He and Mbappé worked well together during their 66 minutes on the pitch and this is a relationship which began in 2022 when both were at PSG.

“Me and Mbappé, we really understand each other on the pitch,” said Ekitike following the 2-1 win over the Brazilians.

“He told me to play freely, I had a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time together at PSG.

“With players like Kylian and Ousmane, I have the opportunity to move wherever I want. I’m enjoying helping France win, and this is a crucial year for me.”

The Liverpool striker also succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts against Brazil and took seven touches in the opposition box – the second-highest total among all players.

He came on for the final 27 minutes against Colombia and while he failed to add to his goal tally, Ekitike made five defensive contributions while registering a shot on target.

Competition is going to be fierce for a starting role for France this summer, especially as Désiré Doué scored twice on Sunday evening.

Add in Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram, Rayan Cherki and Randal Kolo Muani all battling it out for a place in the starting XI, Deschamps has plenty to ponder.

Ekitike’s versatility could work in his favour

This season, Ekitike has scored 17 goals for Liverpool across 42 games, embracing his status as one of the brightest talents in the Premier League.

He has featured as a centre-forward in every single one of these matches, but his versality could be a big advantage for Deschamps and France this summer.

*Ekitike’s shooting numbers for Liverpool in the Premier League*

With Mbappé an undisputed starter for Les Blues, Ekitike could float between operating on the left wing or as the lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 system Deschamps prefers.

The 23-year-old started out wide in the clash against Brazil, regularly cutting in on his stronger right foot throughout the clash to great effect while making diagonal runs into the opposition penalty area.

These runs could certainly exploit the space between the right-back and centre-back and he proved against Brazil that he performs well alongside Mbappé.

With the temperature set to exceed 28°C at the World Cup this summer, the extreme heat could play a factor in squad management.

*Ekitike’s passing numbers for Liverpool in the Premier League*

Ekitike’s ability to interchange positions from the left-wing to centre-forward could give him the edge over other players in the squad. As such, the former PSG striker could switch fluidly between these areas with Mbappé in games this summer.

Mbappé, of course, has the chance to break Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals this summer, needing five to do so. He will carry the hopes of a nation once again on the biggest stage of all.

Ekitike, however, will be featuring in his first major tournament for Les Blues. If he can carry his excellent club form into North America, there is no doubt he could play a pivotal role for France as they seek a third world crown.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every France game with FotMob in the build up to the World Cup – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2026

Crunch time for Italy as World Cup hopes depend on final playoff

The three-times World Cup winners can finally return to international football’s biggest stage by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

By Graham Ruthven

For much of Italy’s World Cup qualification playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland, the tension was palpable. The Azzurri were edgy, aware that a shock loss would mean something unthinkable – a third World Cup in-a-row without the presence of the three-times winners.

That Italy would miss even one World Cup in the modern age was previously unthinkable. That the Azzurri have missed two in succession, sitting at home for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, is a national shame that Italy is still struggling to comprehend. Gennaro Gattuso’s side are attempting to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with all this baggage weighing them down.

Sandro Tonali’s second half opener against Northern Ireland allowed Italy to relax. After an unconvincing opening 45 minutes, the hosts started to impose themselves more freely. In truth, there was never any genuine chance that Italy wouldn’t win after Tonali’s strike from the edge of the box put them ahead.

Tuesday’s playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina will be an even tougher test. The Dragons pulled off an impressive comeback to get past Wales in their playoff semi-final, equalising four minutes from the end through Edin Džeko before ultimately winning the tie on penalties.

By the looks of it, Italy wanted to avoid meeting Wales for a place at this summer’s World Cup. A video of the Azzurri players celebrating Bosnia’s shootout victory went viral, adding more fuel to a game that was already destined to be fiery. If a video could be pinned to the dressing room wall, Bosnia would surely do it for Tuesday’s encounter.

“It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, though if we had gone to Cardiff, it would’ve been a similar situation,” said Gattuso ahead of Italy’s crunch World Cup qualifier. “There are a lot of experienced players in the Bosnia team, Wales are very different. Bosnia close up well, rely on their strikers, so it’ll be another very difficult game, much like the one we had tonight [against Northern Ireland].”

Italy has spent the last eight years in purgatory. There has been a never-ending national discussion about the state of the sport in the country with few answers produced to some very pressing questions. The failure to qualify for another World Cup would continue the debate.

At first, many believed Italy would simply have to wait for the next golden generation to emerge. Now, it’s clear Italian football isn’t set up to produce talent like it used to. Serie A trails most other European leagues when it comes to affording game time to young players and this is having a knock-on effect.

Nevertheless, Italy’s current squad is more than good enough to qualify for the World Cup. The team that started against Northern Ireland might not have included many superstars, but all 11 players operate at a high level. Italian football might have veered too far towards self-flagellation.

Indeed, Gianluigi Donnarumma is the Azzurri’s first-choice goalkeeper and is currently one of the best players in his position anywhere in the world. In front of Donnarumma were Alessandro Bastoni – arguably the best central defender in Serie A – and Riccardo Calafiori – an important member of an Arsenal side on course for the Premier League title.

The midfield trio of Nicolo Barella, Manuel Locatelli and Sandro Tonali, in theory, gives Italy good balance in the centre of the pitch. Locatelli is comfortable dictating play from deep while Barella and Tonali offer plenty of energy and intent on both sides of the ball. This is an area of strength for the Azzurri.

In the attack, Italy could certainly use a more prolific finisher. Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui topped the Serie A scoring charts last season, offering hope that the Azzurri might have found a new front two to build around. Since then, though, Kean’s form has dropped off and Retegui has made the move to Saudi Arabia.

Francesco Pio Esposito has the potential to be a frontman for the national team in the mould of someone like Luca Toni, but the Inter Milan youngster is still a work-in-progress. It might be too early to expect him to lead the line for Italy like many of the legendary attackers that have played for the Azzurri in the past.

Whether or not Italy have a team up to the standard of past glories, it’s clear they need to move on. World Cup qualification would invigorate Italian football. It would give confidence to a national team programme that desperately needs it and belief to one of world football’s most successful, and romanticised, sides. The World Cup is better with Italy involved.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every World Cup playoff game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2026

Preview: Argentina close international break with Zambia friendly

If a narrow win over minnows Mauritania didn’t get the Buenos Aires crowd in party mode, a potential final farewell to Lionel Messi might do as Argentina face Zambia in their latest friendly.

By Karl Matchett

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will win an incredible 198th international cap if he starts, as expected, and given the expectations around him potentially ending his Albiceleste career (again) after the summer World Cup, at which time he’ll be 39, this could be his final outing on home soil.

A title to retain

Though Messi came off the bench against Mauritania, it’s important for Lionel Scaloni and the team to develop ways of playing – and winning well, ideally – without their iconic No. 10. He will naturally be a go-to at the finals in the summer, but it may be he doesn’t play every match or see out every 90 minutes, in trying to spare him to impact later on in defence of their title.

It means others need to step up more than they’ve managed to thus far in terms of end product; only Julián Alvarez (13) has more than seven goals in the squad, with Nico Paz, Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone perhaps among those who could earn themselves a regular starting place if they can prove they can be a supply line.

*To watch the upcoming friendlies in the United States, click here*

Defence first?

If the attack is not completely clicking into gear, it’s vital that Argentina can hold strong at the other end then – and so there is optimism around a new-look partnership of Cristian Romero and Marcos Senesi at the back. Senesi’s Bournemouth contract is up this summer and with clubs like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid reportedly keen on him, establishing himself as a starter ahead of the World Cup – and performing well during it – will only raise his profile and earning potential further. He ranks above 98% of European centre-backs for defensive contributions over the past year and is top 5% in the Premier League this term.

Low-key opponents

Opponents Zambia won the Afcon in 2014 but have been on a downward trajectory since – they haven’t actually won an Afcon game since the semi-finals of that year, given they drew the final and won on penalties. Only seven of the current squad ply their trade outside of Zambia.

Recent internationals

Argentina have won six of their last eight though their last notable win was arguably June last year, in Chile. Zambia have won one of their last 13 matches over the past year.

Team news

Messi is set to start but Gonzalo Montiel withdrew from the squad injured and Joaquín Panichelli is out of the World Cup after rupturing his ACL again in training before the weekend.

Key Player

If Simeone gets the nod down the right, he can be a force and a threat if tuned in – though still needs to add more control and poise to his final decision. Still, he’s top 1.5% of LaLiga attackers for expected assists, top 5% for big chances created and top 8% for successful dribbles.

Prediction

Another win for Argentina as the home crowd give a pre-tournament send-off…but not a result to strike fear into potential summer rivals: Argentina 3-0 Zambia.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Argentina game with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

To watch the upcoming Argentina games in the United States, check out the coverage provided by BeINSports – here.

Mar

2026

Preview: England regulars set to return for Japan test

This is it, the last chance for those players on England’s peripheries to make a serious impression on Thomas Tuchel ahead of the summer’s World Cup. Japan make the trip to Wembley hoping to throw a spanner in the works.

By Alex Roberts

Veteran Japan winger Junya Ito scored in the 84^th minute to see his side narrowly beat Scotland on Saturday. They’re now on a run of four wins and one draw over their last five games, including a 3-2 win over Brazil, so they can beat the big boys.

Ben White made his long-awaited England return in their 1-1 draw with Uruguay, and oh boy, did he create some headlines. The Arsenal man was booed by the fans, scored the opener, and then conceded a penalty which Federico Valverde converted. All in all, it was a poor performance from the Three Lions. They need to step it up.

England’s very own Valverde

That’s how Tuchel described James Garner following his England debut in the Uruguay game. The similarities are there, they’ve both had to play as full backs for their club, but the Real Madrid ace is certainly more established.

Garner earned his chance to represent England with some incredible performances for Everton so far this season, and he didn’t look out of place. The midfielder created four chances, had a pass accuracy rate of 93%, and made 10 passes into the final third.

Central midfield is starting to look pretty stacked for England. Declan Rice is a guaranteed starter, but Garner has now placed himself alongside Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Kobbie Mainoo in Tuchel’s reckoning. This is a good problem to have.

A potential dark horse?

Every World Cup has one. Last time out everyone expected it to be Türkiye, but they fell well short of expectations. Japan have some incredibly talented players at their disposal, and manager Hajime Moriyasu has made them hard to beat.

Japan haven’t conceded a goal since their 3-2 win over Brazil back in October, beating Ghana 2-0, Bolivia 3-0, and most recently Scotland 1-0. Playing a back three, Moriyasu’s boys have prioritised defensive solidity.

That doesn’t mean Japan don’t have more creative players though. Premier League fans will be well aware of Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, arguably one of the best dribblers around today. Japan have everything needed to be a serious threat this summer, a win or even a draw here would be a real statement.

Team news

Noni Madueke picked up and injury in the draw with Uruguay, while Arsenal appear to have recalled Rice and Bukayo Saka for ‘medical assessments.’ We’re sure that has nothing to do with the Premier League title race.

Adam Wharton, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Aaron Ramsdale and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all returned to their respective clubs too, but it’s not all bad news.

Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane have all joined up with the squad after watching the game on Friday from the stands.

Either way, Tuchel has plenty of options.

Japan don’t really have anything to worry about in terms of squad selection. The only issue is Takehiro Tomiyasu had expected to join up with the squad for this game, but he has since been forced to withdraw and remain with Ajax due to injury.

Prediction

There are quite a few England players that need to take this game by the scruff of the neck. Japan aren’t an easy opposition, but we’re going with a 2-0 win for Tuchel’s side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every England game with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2026

Sidemen select FotMob as Official Live Score Partner for 2026 Charity Match

FotMob to provide live stats, commentary, player ratings, and exclusively host the Player of the Match vote for the Sidemen’s sold-out Wembley Stadium charity fixture.

By Bill Biss

FotMob – the matchday companion app trusted by over 22 million football fans globally – has renewed its collaboration with the Sidemen as the Official Live Score Partner for the YouTube collective’s sold-out charity match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday April 18, 2026.

The event – which pits the Sidemen FC against a team of YouTube Allstars in a match raising money for a variety of British charities – will receive the same in-depth live coverage FotMob provides for every match across more than 500 professional football competitions globally, powered by leading sports data brand, Opta.

With real-time live updates, personalised news, and extensive stats – including xG, match momentum, heatmaps and individual player ratings – FotMob’s comprehensive coverage will bring fans and followers even closer to the players and their performances.

The detailed level of analysis will help inform viewers who will be responsible for selecting the game’s ‘Player of the Match’ by voting exclusively within the FotMob app.

As an Official Partner of the event – which last year raised over £4.7 million for UK charities and has been viewed over 20 million times on YouTube – the FotMob brand will also be visible across matchday LED perimeter advertising at Wembley Stadium and appear on-screen throughout the live broadcast.

FotMob’s collaboration with the Sidemen Charity Match began in 2022 when the world’s fastest growing live score soccer platform first proposed covering the game with the same level of detail as a Premier League fixture – setting a new benchmark for creator-led sporting events. On the day of last year’s fixture, FotMob was the most downloaded app on iOS in the UK – ahead of ChatGPT – proving the continued success of the collaboration.

Commenting on the collaboration, Matias Høibraaten, Head of Growth at FotMob, said: “The Sidemen Charity Match continues to break new ground for creator-led sporting events and FotMob is proud to be a part of the journey. With 50% of FotMob’s 22 million monthly active users worldwide belonging to Gen Z, there is a natural cross-over of our collective audiences that make this partnership the perfect match.”

“Our elite-level coverage enhances this unique event for both players and fans. The creators love to check their ‘numbers’ as soon as they come off the pitch to see if they have bettered their teammates and opponents. Fans are equally engaged with player ratings and insights – demonstrated by the fact that last year FotMob became the most downloaded app on iOS in the UK on game day,” Høibraaten added.

Stuart Jones, Founder and Director of Upload Agency, which represents the Sidemen, said: “FotMob is the ultimate matchday companion for our teams of creators and millions of football fans around the world. This partnership further validates the event’s credibility, with FotMob providing the same comprehensive coverage it employs for top-tier leagues and competitions globally. Players and fans alike are consumed with FotMob’s live stats and insights – driving incredible audience engagement as they share and debate the data in real-time throughout the game.”

The 2026 Sidemen Charity Match will once again take place at Wembley Stadium, following its debut at the iconic venue last March. This year’s event sold out in under two hours, breaking the three hours taken for all 90,000 seats to be snapped up in 2025.

This year, in a first for the charity fixture, three of the seven Sidemen members – KSI, Miniminter and Behzinga – will be playing on the YouTube Allstars team alongside the likes of Morgan Burtwistle, known professionally as Angryginge, the live streamer and winner of the most recent series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Collectively, the creators involved in the April 18 match have in excess of a billion social media followers.

The six Sidemen charity football matches to have taken place since 2016 have collectively raised over £8.5 million for charitable organisations in the UK which include the NSPCC, Young Minds, CALM, Teenage Cancer Trust, Rays of Sunshine, M7 Education, BBC Children in Need, and Bright Side.

With full historical data for every Sidemen Charity Match fixture, fans can follow the 2026 edition on the FotMob website or by downloading the FotMob app on iOS or Android.

(All images courtesy of FotMob)

From real-time scores and detailed statistics to player ratings and personalised insights, FotMob is the essential football app. Built exclusively for soccer and trusted by over 22 million fans globally – having trebled its monthly active user base in the last four years and added 13 million fans since it became the #1 sports app on iOS in the US, UK, and Germany during the 2022 FIFA World Cup – FotMob is one of the world’s leading and fastest growing soccer platforms. Founded and based in Bergen, Norway, FotMob remains proudly independent and its team of 30 employees are driven by a collective passion for innovation, excellence, and the beautiful game itself. For more information, please visit fotmob.com.

Mar

2026

The USMNT play European powerhouses as Pochettino looks to build for home World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino’s US men’s national team will face Belgium and Portugal in two tricky friendlies ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

In preparation for discovering the USA’s World Cup opponents at December’s draw in Washington DC, Mauricio Pochettino watched ‘Miracle.’ The 2004 Disney movie retells the story of the 1980 US men’s hockey team and its sensational journey to Olympic gold. It’s an underdog story that clearly resonates with Pochettino.

“We identified with many things in the movie,” said Pochettino who admitted it made him cry. “It’s really amazing how a group of 20 players really believed in an idea.” That idea is summed up in a tagline adopted by the USA ahead of this summer’s World Cup on home soil – why not us?

The US men’s national team has come a long way in a relatively short time under Pochettino. There was a point last year when the 2026 World Cup co-hosts were struggling for any sort of traction. Back-to-back defeats to Canada and Panama a year ago raised all sorts of questions about the USMNT and their head coach.

As recently as September, Pochettino’s position was being scrutinised. Former USA international turned pundit Alexi Lalas called for the Argentine to be fired. While that was an extreme view, it said something about the way public sentiment had turned against Pochettino in some quarters.

Over the September, October, and November international windows, though, the US finally generated some momentum. Pochettino found a tactical framework that suited his players better and encouraging results against Japan, Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay and Uruguay followed. 2025 ended on an extremely positive note.

Belgium and Portugal, however, will provide a much sterner test. The USA will host the former at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday before welcoming the latter to the same venue next week. These two games will be the best yardstick so far to measure the co-host’s World Cup readiness.

*The USMNT pre-World Cup programme (screenshot taken on device with European timezone)*

Drawn in a group with Australia, Paraguay and either Kosovo or Türkiye, the USA stands a strong chance of making the knockout rounds. This is where the national team has hit the glass ceiling at past World Cups. Indeed, it’s been 24 years since the USMNT last won a knockout match at a World Cup, exiting to the Netherlands in Qatar.

This is why these upcoming friendly matches are so valuable. Pochettino must devise a way to set up his team to thrive against high-calibre opponents in order to give the USMNT a chance of making a deep run at a home World Cup. They could face a team of Belgium or Portugal’s quality this summer. They hope to face more than one.

Belgium might not be the same force that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. The country’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ has faded, but they still boast players like Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom have been included in Rudi Garcia’s squad to face the USA.

In De Bruyne, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemens, Belgium have a midfield unit capable of controlling the majority of Saturday’s match in Atlanta. The Red Devils no longer have stalwarts like Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen in the backline, giving the US some hope that they might be able to pose a threat in attacking transition. Having enough of the ball to create such opportunities, however, could be an issue.

Portugal could be an even stiffer test. Roberto Martínez’s side will be among the favourites to win the World Cup this summer. Portugal’s squad is deeper than any other in international football at this moment in time, perhaps with the exception of England and France. They have countless options all over the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo is sidelined through injury meaning he will miss the encounter against the USMNT in Atlanta, but Portugal might be even stronger without the 41-year-old who has lost more than a yard of space and some of his sharpness in front of goal. Martinez has PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos to field in Ronaldo’s place.

The USA have some threats of their own. Christian Pulisic is struggling for form and fitness for AC Milan at club level, but is a consistent performer for his national team. Folarin Balogun has established himself as the USMNT’s first-choice centre forward under Pochettino and is on a strong scoring streak for Monaco.

Juventus have, in Pochettino’s words, been “Weston McKennie and 10 players” in 2026. McKennie is in the best shape of his career and will give the USA a different dimension with his late runs into the box. Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson and Tim Weah are also capable of impacting matches.

Pochettino is without the injured duo of Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest for this international window, but the Argentine has put a lot of effort into bulking up the USMNT’s squad. He has more options than Gregg Berhalter did at the last World Cup. The USA’s performances against Belgium and Portugal will indicate whether they are ready to go further than they did in Qatar too.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every USMNT game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2026

New Connected Ball technology for the WSL

The Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) has announced it will introduce Sportable’s FIFA-certified “Connected Ball” technology from the beginning of the 2026/27 season.

By Alex Connor

In a transformative move for the women’s game, the WSL becomes the first football league in the world to adopt Sportable’s technology, which uses patented sensors embedded in Nike’s official matchballs and player-tracking systems to provide live performance data and heightened analysis.

Sportable’s fully connected data ecosystem will operate at all WLS matches in the upcoming campaign and is an optional tool for every club to deploy in training environments. Several WSL clubs have implemented the Connected Ball and player-tracking mechanism into training and consistently into match preparation ahead of a wider rollout later this year.

The ball technology has been extensively tested to ensure reliability, with the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance & Tracking Systems (EPTS) already certifying Sportable’s Portable LPS tracking product, confirming the positional data’s accuracy. The system aims to uncover and present unprecedented real-time insights for teams, furthering the innovation and development of the future of women’s football.

Sportable, a data and analytics company, has a multi-year partnership with Six Nations Rugby and has made analytical breakthroughs in American football. But it’s now ventured into football, teaming up with Nike and the WSL in an uncharted development that promises to raise the sport’s standards.

“Nike’s new partnership with us is built on innovation and putting players first,” says Zarah Al-Kudcy, the Chief Revenue Officer for WSL Football. Nike have previously rolled out boots for all players and gloves for goalkeepers without personal endorsement deals.

A fully wireless, portable data ecosystem takes 10 minutes to set up, then 12-16 lightweight beacons create a live 3D map of players and the ball, with data generated and delivered within 800 milliseconds. The ball sensors reveal information on its speed, spin, and flight. GPS-ready player wearables then provide movement data, giving greater insight into effort, load and performance.

This system allows for analysis of every on-field action and detailed feedback, which can be utilised before, during or after a match, helping to elevate performance and tactical understanding of the women’s game.

Sportable CEO Dugald Macdonald is excited to introduce the data-driven product. “It is a privilege to work with Nike and support WSL Football on a project that will meaningfully impact the progression of the women’s game,” Macdonald said.

This new technology is also projected to deepen fan engagement through optimised sports broadcasting. In the Six Nations, augmented reality graphics used real-time data to create match stats on actions such as kick distance, pass distance and territory gained, which were presented across broadcast and digital channels.

Al-Kudcy added that Nike’s “desire to elevate the role of the ball through Sportable’s technology will enable us to provide enhanced performance data to our clubs as well as tell richer stories to our fans.”

The near-zero latency gives broadcasters increased storytelling potential, enriching the fan experience by creating more engaging and informative game-related content.

Macdonald, who co-founded Sportable in 2015, said: “The opportunity to create a consistent, data-rich view of performance, from training pitches to stadiums, is truly groundbreaking, and we are excited to help unlock the next level of insight for teams across the league and their fans via an enhanced, data-rich, broadcast experience.”

Sportable are a global leader in data performance and technology, which looks to enhance the experience for all relevant parties, including the players, clubs, broadcasters and fans. Women’s football has rapidly gained momentum in recent years, and this inclusive, data-driven technology is set to unlock more immediate value, enjoyment and knowledge for everyone involved in the sport. A new era is here for the WSL.

(Images courtesy of Sportable , WSL match action from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the WSL with FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.