The Pulse of Football

May

2026

Preview: Arsenal and PSG set for titanic Champions League final showdown

Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League final, on Saturday, in what promises to be a colossal showdown in Budapest.

The Gunners have made it to their first final in this competition since 2006. PSG, on the other hand, are the defending champions and are looking to become the second team in the Champions League era to successfully win-back-to-back titles.

PSG boast the most goals in the competition (44), while Arsenal have conceded the fewest goals (6). What a battle we have in store.

A resolute defence could be the difference for Arsenal

Arsenal’s success this season has been built on an impenetrable defence. The Gunners conceded just 27 goals across 38 Premier League matches on their way to winning the title.

Mikel Arteta’s men conceded just twice throughout the knockout stages and one former Arsenal goalkeeper believes David Raya will be the key component for the North Londoners on Saturday.

“If Raya plays well or continues the great form he has been in he gives Arsenal every chance to go and win the Champions League, without a question,” Graham Stack told the best sports betting app.

“And I just think it’s the belief he instils throughout the team as well. I think they’re so assured and so confident when they’re in front of him. What he brings to the team from that psychological point of view, he’s proven, and he’s been so consistent.

*Raya’s record in the Champions League this season*

“You look behind you, you’ve got Raya in goal, you’re thinking to yourself, I’m really confident we can get a result today. Because PSG are going to create chances. You saw them against Bayern, when they’re at it, they’re free-flowing, they will create chances, it doesn’t matter who they’re playing against.

If PSG wish to defend their title, they will have to get past Raya.

PSG eyeing back-to-back Champions League crowns

Luis Enrique’s side looked unstoppable early on, scoring 13 goals in their first three games in the competition. The Ligue 1 giants, however, only finished 11th in the league phase and had to make it through a playoff to reach the knockout stages.

Since then, AS Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich were all put to the sword as PSG reached a second successive final.

History beckons for the Spaniard, who is aiming to join Pep Guardiola, Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane as managers to have won three European Cup/Champions League trophies.

With an attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué, it is no wonder PSG lead the way this season in terms of goals in the Champions League, scoring 44 in 16 games.

One thing is certain, this match is finely poised and should hopefully live up to the hype.

Team news

Achraf Hakimi will likely be missing for PSG, while goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier remains a doubt due to a thigh issue.

Arteta may have issues at right-back, as Ben White is definitely missing. Jurriën Timber has been absent for the previous eight weeks and it is highly doubtful he will be fit to start against the French side.

Prediction

Arsenal will enter the showpiece event buoyed by the fact they already have one trophy in the cabinet.

Winning the Premier League was the ultimate aim, but now Arteta has the chance to become the first Arsenal manager to win Europe’s premier club competition.

Enrique and PSG won’t part with the trophy easily, though, which sets up an intriguing matchup.

I’m going for a PSG win after extra-time.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Interview: Lioness legend Fran Kirby on Brighton’s FA Cup fairytale

There was a moment in the 95th minute of Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool that the world seemed to pause. It was only for a couple of seconds but as the ball dropped to the feet of Nadine Noordam in the box, there was a brief lull in the noise before pandemonium ensued as the Seagulls made history.

By Girls On The Ball

Amongst the wild celebrations that followed, the cameras panned to Fran Kirby standing in front of the travelling supporters, just drinking it in.

“I’ve made it no secret that when I retired from the national team, I felt that I wasn’t going to get a chance to play at Wembley again,” she reflects. “I knew the project at Brighton but I felt that maybe I would just be part of it and then once I leave, that it will build and keep going. It was more of a moment of reflection, a moment of pride, and a moment of probably, “Make sure you take all this in”.”

Unlike for most of her teammates and her club, this Sunday’s final against Manchester City will not be Kirby’s first Wembley rodeo. The 32-year-old is a seasoned visitor, having collected five FA Cup titles during her time at Chelsea and a European trophy with England on the famous turf. This one, however, feels a little different, the start of something building at a club that is continuously striving for improvement.

“An FA Cup Final is one of the best days of your life,” she says. “I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple there. To be able to do it with Brighton…and with these girls – you know, we’re still quite an inexperienced group – I’m really excited for them for them to experience Wembley. You can just talk about it but for them to actually be able to be there, it’s going to be so special.”

“Everyone handles [the occasion] differently,” she continues. “I think some nerves are good because it shows how much you care. I’m going to share what I need to share but also I just want them to experience it for themselves. I want them to have their own emotions.”

There is little question of Brighton’s ambition to challenge for silverware. In 2021, they opened a state-of-the-art training hub for their women’s side while just last month, they announced plans to construct the first purpose-built women’s football stadium in Europe. On the pitch, things have settled following a tumultuous few years following the departure of long-term manager Hope Powell in 2022. Two years and four managers later, Dario Vidošić took over the helm, securing their best WSL finish (fifth) in his first season.

Bringing in players of the calibre of Kirby has been key. At 32, she remains the heartbeat of Vidošić’s side, the catalyst at the centre of their attack.

“The most proud thing for me is coming to a team that really wants to push the women’s game,” she says. “I’ve always said that I want to play for teams who want to invest. I will push them and they’re probably sick of hearing from me as well because I’m really demanding. I’ve had countless conversations with the owner and he really wants to drive it. He wants Brighton to be the home of women’s football in the way that we play and what we give to the women’s team.”

“It’s not going to happen overnight”, she continues. “There are still many things that need to be put in place. I said when I joined, if you’re not really going to go for it then I’m not going to sing your praises. They knew where I stood with that… I’m just really proud to be part of another team, because Chelsea also had that, that wants to push the game forward and keep building.”

Success is not always linear and this campaign has thrown up a few challenges for the Seagulls. A seventh-place WSL finish would have been disappointing but, within the context of everything that has happened, perhaps unsurprising.

After Michelle Agyemang ruptured her ACL, they have been without a central striker since October.

“[An out-and-out number nine] is not a role that a lot of people can just adapt into. Madison [Haley] has done really well. Sometimes, I’ve gone as a false nine. Kiko [Seike] has also been [there]. I think it’s just to play what the opposition are and what strengths they have and how you can make their weaknesses become your strength.”

Off the pitch, the death of Rado Vidošić, Dario’s father and the Head of Women’s and Girl’s Coaching, in January at the age of 64 was difficult with their manager understandably taking personal leave to head back to Australia to be with his family.

There is a sense, therefore, that Brighton are playing for something more than just the badge. In their way of a first major trophy stands a formidable opponent. Manchester City are fresh off the back of winning their first league title in a decade. Brighton’s belief will come, however, from the fact that they beat Andree Jeglertz‘s side in the league under a month ago.

“We probably should have been 4-0 down at one point so we’re not naive to think that everything was roses,” Kirby reflects. “We really showed more of ourselves in the second half and I think that will give us confidence. On the flip side, there are a lot of conversations about how we cannot start like that again in an FA Cup final. That’s more like the stern warning… because we know the quality players they have and what they’re capable of. It’s just a case of staying in the game for as long as we can at the beginning and then growing into our flow and our rhythm. We know that there are going to be moments that we’re going to have to suffer because they are a quality side.”

“[Winning] would have a huge impact,” she continues. “The club is already going in the right direction with the way that it wants to build the women’s team… I think it would be a massive stepping stone.”

Whatever happens, Sunday will mark a significant moment in the history of the women’s team. For Kirby herself, a player whose name has become synonymous with Wembley over the years, it is proof that she still has a huge role to play and an opportunity to add a sixth winners medal to her already substantial haul.

(Images from Girls on the Ball, with additional images from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 takes place at the London Stadium this Sunday, as football’s biggest celebrity match celebrates its 20th anniversary – and this year, FotMob is the Official Live Score partner of the annual charity showpiece. Here, we reflect on the history of Soccer Aid and look ahead to this weekend’s encounter.

By Tom Hancock

A history of Soccer Aid for UNICEF in numbers

15

This will be the 15th edition of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, the first game having taken place back in 2006 at Old Trafford. Held biennially until 2018, Soccer Aid has been a yearly event since 2019.

As ever, the contest pits an England Aid XI against a Soccer Aid World XI (Rest of the World until 2016), with celebrities and former players representing both sides. The World XI are the reigning champions and have the edge overall, with eight wins to England’s six to date.

9

Paddy McGuinness holds the record for the most Soccer Aid appearances, having featured nine times over the years. The TV presenter and comedian, known for shows such as Take Me Out and A Question of Sport, is involved once again this time around.

David Seaman and Robbie Keane are tied on eight for the most Soccer Aid appearances by former footballers.

5

Two players are tied on a record five Soccer Aid goals: Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay and ex-England striker Jermain Defoe, the latter of whom will play this year.

Defoe has scored in each of the last two editions of Soccer Aid but was almost caught by Carlos Tevez last year, the former Manchester City and Manchester United star bagging four goals – the most in a single edition – as the World XI recorded a thrilling 5-4 win, finishing with an all-time high FotMob rating of 9.9.

Locked in 🤝

We’ve teamed up with FotMob as the Official Live Score Partner of Soccer Aid for UNICEF 📈

Relive 20 years of Soccer Aid – historical data from every match now available, only on @FotMob ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zsWN0crSpn
— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) April 29, 2026

13

Singer Olly Murs has played in seven Soccer Aids but has yet to find the net. His total of 13 shots is the highest without scoring a Soccer Aid goal.

Murs is in the England squad once more for 2026; will it be a case of eighth-time lucky for the 2009 The X Factor runner-up.

5.14

You’re pretty much guaranteed to see the net ripple over and over again at Soccer Aid, with the 14 matches to date averaging 5.14 goals between the two teams – and the last two both seeing nine goals scored. In fact, only once have there been fewer than three goals in the game: in 2020, when England won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Goalkeepers can be expected to face a lot of shots, then – though none have kept as many out as Julio Cesar, the ex-Brazil man making a Soccer Aid-high seven saves in 2019.

5.93

The highest Expected Goals (xG) tally on record at Soccer Aid is a whopping 5.93 by England on their way to a 3-2 win in 2016 – during which they had 31 shots. TV personality Mark Wright opened the scoring before Jermain Defoe bagged an ultimately decisive brace.

England also posted the lowest Soccer Aid xG output on record: 0.68 as they lost 4-2 in 2023.

16

Actor Owen Cooper is poised to become the youngest player in Soccer Aid history, having only turned 16 in December.

Assuming he plays, the Adolescence star will smash the record currently held by fellow actor Chris Fountain – who made his Soccer Aid debut in 2008 aged 21.

1

TV presenter Ben Shephard holds the ignominious honour of being the only player ever to be sent off in Soccer Aid.

A veteran of seven Soccer Aids, Shephard was shown a red card for a second bookable offence in 2016 by ex-Premier League referee Howard Webb.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 Preview

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 will see the usual array of celebrity faces and former professional footballers take to the pitch.

Among the stars representing England are ex-pros Steph Houghton, Sol Campbell and Wayne Rooney, singer Olly Murs, and actors Tom Hiddleston and Damson Idris. Members of the World XI squad include Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf and Lukas Podolski, alongside the likes of actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Westlife member Nicky Byrne and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. Full squads are available in the line up tab for the game.

Likewise, in the dugout, former Tottenham and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will manage England, with eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt taking charge of the World XI – having captained the team on five previous occasions.

A number of players will make their Soccer Aid debut this year. As well as the aforementioned Owen Cooper, ex-England rugby union international Joe Marler, Irish actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd – who have been named as goalkeepers for England and the World XI respectively – Euro 2012 winner Jordi Alba and two-time Women’s World Cup champion Ali Krieger are all gearing up for their first taste of Soccer Aid.

Meanwhile, one active player is set to take part: former Man Utd and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, who made 34 Serie A appearances this season for Sassuolo.

England are chasing just their second win in eight editions of Soccer Aid – and their first at the London Stadium, having triumphed at Old Trafford four times, and Wembley and Stamford Bridge once apiece. The World XI have been victorious at all four of those grounds, as well as the Etihad Stadium.

The referee for Soccer Aid 2026 has yet to be announced, though ex-EFL official Rebecca Welch has overseen the last two editions.

(Images from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Getafe rejecting Spanish norms to qualify for Europe

There is more than one way to play football. Not everyone has to or even wants to be the next Pep Guardiola. Getafe and their manager José Bordalás are living proof you can achieve success with ‘negative’ football.

By Alex Roberts

If you thought Mikel Arteta’s ‘cornerball’ or José Mourinho’s ‘parking the bus’ were rough, you’re in for a real lesson. The 62-year-old is unlike almost every other modern Spanish manager.

As is so often the case, those that go against the norm aren’t always welcomed by their peers. Back in 2020, then Barcelona manager Quique Setién said of Bordalás’ style: “this isn’t football. It’s something else and it makes my blood boil.”

You’re really not going to find anyone from Barcelona’s tiki-taka, pass and move school of thinking that have a kind work for Bordalás. Xavi shared Setien’s sentiment during his spell in charge at the Camp Nou, adding: “Normal people don’t want to watch football like that,” after his side were held to a frustrating draw.

This is Bordalás’ second spell at Getafe. Following their relegation in 2025/16, he was the man tasked with the job of bringing them back up. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it wasn’t pretty, but he got it done, in a very bricks and mortar, meat and potatoes kinda way.

Few expected them to do too much in their first season back in the big time. Getafe shocked everyone, finishing eight, missing out on a place in the Europea League by just three points, with Sevilla in seventh.

Getafe were 20th for average possession (39.5%), 20th for accurate passes per 90 (199.3), and 17th for touches in the opposition box (632). On the flip side, they ended the season in third for goals conceded per 90 (0.9). So, there was method to the perceived madness.

Again, as 2018/19 rolled around, Getafe and Bordalás were dismissed by the media. It was just dumb luck, they were a one season wonder, surely a club couldn’t find sustained success in LaLiga playing such football!?

Again, Getafe proved them all wrong, only this time, they did better. If it wasn’t for an 87th minute Gerard Moreno goal in their 2-2 draw on the final day of the season, we would have seen Bordalás in the Champions League.

A couple of disappointing seasons after, Bordalás left for Valencia and Getafe opted for a change of direction, and hiring Quique Sánchez Flores, who is indeed a more progressive, forward-thinking coach.

Bordalás did well, guiding Valencia to a ninth placed finish and even reaching the Copa del Rey final, but his style of play was too bitter of a pill for the fans to swallow. He was replaced by Genaro Gattuso, who was sacked after 22 games.

Back at Getafe, it was perhaps too much change too quickly, however, and after two years and two consecutive 15th placed finishes, Getafe decided they should have tried to fix what wasn’t broken in the first place.

Fast forward to the current day, Getafe have just secured qualification for next season’s Conference League, beating out this season’s finalists Rayo Vallecano by a single point. The dichotomy between the two sides is wild, by the way.

Getafe are seriously punching above their weight. They’re currently spending the 12th most on squad wages, with only one of them, Borja Mayoral, amongst the top 100 LaLiga players in terms of their individual earnings.

This past season, the numbers tell a very clear story. Getafe are fast, direct, their games are very… hard on the eye, if we’re being brutally honest. Bordalás’ side are masters of the dark arts, in a way that would make Mourinho blush.

They’ve committed the most fouls per match at 15.2, have been handed the second most yellow cards (103), and the third most reds with eight. When you actually sit down to watch a full game, one of the very first things you notice is just how long the ball is inactive.

Now, that’s not entirely their fault, LaLiga referees are famously pretty trigger happy. Bordalás addressed that fact a few years ago, saying: “The essence of football is being lost a bit and too much impact is being given to things that are natural.

“For example, we are a league where, and this is not a criticism, all fouls are called, there is no rhythm of play, there is no help from almost anyone. Everything is being exaggerated. We are seeing incredible penalties being called.

“The coaches, in my case, before a game and during the week have to constantly warn the players to be careful with each jump, to be careful with their hands, not to go to the ground, although these are natural things in a game, in a contact sport.”

The rest of the stats are truly remarkable. Getafe were rock bottom for xG (30.6), shots on target per match (2.8), big chances created (48), accurate passes per match (198.4), and touches in the opposition box (582). They’re also 20th for average home attendance (8196), so, perhaps that tells its own story.

By right, they should have been relegated, only Real Oviedo scored fewer goal than Getafe, but at the other end of the pitch, they’re so well organised. Every single one of their players has bought in to what Bordalás wants.

Getafe finished the season third for xG conceded (42.3), third for interceptions per match (8.9), fourth for tackles per match (18), and third for clearances per match (28). They also somehow conceded the fewest penalties (4), which is quite something.

Bordalás is clearly a very divisive figure in Spanish football, but perhaps that what it needs, an agitator, disruptor, who isn’t afraid to do things a little differently. Either way, Getafe are reaping the benefits.

(Images via IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: The four nations competing at the World Cup for the first time

Four countries will make their World Cup debut at the World Cup 2026 in North America, the most since the 2006 edition in Germany. Here’s all you need to know about this year’s World Cup newcomers: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

By Tom Hancock

Cape Verde

It was just 13 years ago that Cape Verde qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations, its Football Federation having only formed in 1982; now, the archipelagic Atlantic nation are primed for their debut on the biggest stage of all.

The Tubaroes Azuis (Blue Sharks) booked their place in North America this summer by topping their qualifying group ahead of African giants Cameroon, a 3-0 win over Eswatini in October sealing the deal.

Coached by Bubista, former captain of the national team, Cape Verde have drawn their squad from players plying their club trade in 14 different countries – with Portugal, the country from whom Cape Verde gained independence in 1975, supplying the most members.

With a population around that of the English city of Bradford, Cape Verde have also called upon a sizeable diaspora: almost half the squad were born overseas, including a sizeable contingent from Rotterdam – where many Cape Verdeans arrived as sailors on Dutch ships in the mid-20th century – and centre-back Roberto Lopes (known as Pico), born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Cape Verdean father and a five-time Irish champion with Dublin’s Shamrock Rovers.

Currently 69th in the FIFA World Ranking, Cape Verde are one of the lowest-ranked sides at the 2026 World Cup – and they’ve been handed a tough-looking draw in Group H, where they’ll get their campaign underway against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain, in Atlanta, before facing another former world champion, Uruguay, then Saudi Arabia.

Recent friendly results – a loss to Chile and draws followed by penalty defeats to Iran, Egypt and Finland – don’t augur well, but the spirited Blue Sharks will back themselves to bite their considerably more seasoned opponents.

Curaçao

For just over a month, Cape Verde held the record of being the smallest country by area ever to reach the World Cup finals; then along came Curaçao, the tiny Dutch island territory 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, smaller in area than most UK counties and home to fewer people than the English city of Warwick.

Rather poetically nicknamed the Blue Wave, Curaçao’s remarkable qualification – confirmed by a draw with Steve McClaren’s Jamaica in the CONCACAF section – was masterminded by Dick Advocaat, the veteran ex-Netherlands, PSV Eindhoven and Rangers boss who turned 78 last September. As such, he’s set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history – by some seven years, outdoing Otto Rehhagel, who led Greece in 2010.

But until last week, Advocaat wasn’t due to be in charge at all. The Dutchman stepped down in February to care for his unwell daughter but, following an improvement in her health, returned to take the reins for Curaçao’s greatest adventure yet – much to the delight of players and fans alike.

🇨🇼 18/48: Debutants Curaçao are next up for the FotMob mini-preview treatment.

The Caribbean island nation, within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are the smallest to ever qualify. pic.twitter.com/BB4F7BG3LT
— FotMob (@FotMob) May 26, 2026

Advocaat’s troops include a fair few familiar faces: brothers Juninho and skipper Leandro Bacuna, Kenji Gorré, Jürgen Locadia, and Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong – the only player in the squad born in Curaçao itself, the rest all hailing from the Netherlands – have all played Premier League football at some point.

Drawn into Group E alongside four-time world champions Germany – who they play their opening game against in Houston – Ecuador and the Ivory Coast, and having been thumped 5-1 by Australia in their latest friendly, Curaçao are understandably huge underdogs – not that that held them back in getting this far.

Jordan

The surprise package at the 2023 Asian Cup, when they knocked out continental heavyweights South Korea in the semi-finals, Jordan made it to their first World Cup at the 11th time of asking, qualifying automatically without the need for any play-off drama.

Al Nashama – which translates literally as the Chivalrous Ones (nickname of the tournament?) – will have one of the most domestically focused squads at the 2026 World Cup, with half of their preliminary 30-man selection representing Jordanian clubs, nine of them playing for reigning Jordanian Pro League champions Al-Hussein.

Coached by Moroccan Jamal Sellami – who featured for his country at the 1998 World Cup – Jordan’s hopes of making a mark in North America rest largely on the shoulders of captain and star man Mousa Tamari, one of the nation’s greatest-ever players and the first Jordanian to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The Rennes winger was among the top scorers in Asian qualifying and has chalked up six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 this season, helping his club to UEFA Conference League qualification.

Other players to keep an eye on include strikers Ali Olwan – whose 29 international goals have come at an average of almost one every other cap (though he is on his way back from ankle surgery) – and 20-year-old Ibrahim Sabra of Turkish side Göztepe, a champion sprinter in his teens. Another key forward, Yazan Al-Naimat however, is out injured.

Jordan line up in Group J with opening opponents Austria, Algeria, and holders Argentina. They head into the World Cup having reached the final of December’s Arab Cup, but this summer will present by far their sternest test yet.

Uzbekistan

A football-mad nation, Uzbekistan have attempted to qualify for eight World Cups since the break-up of the Soviet Union and came close to qualifying in 2014 the play-offs, but they finally made it this time around, clinching an automatic berth to become the first Central Asian participants at the tournament.

The White Wolves took points off fellow 2026 World Cup participants Iran and Qatar in qualifying, beating the latter 3-0, as well as defeating Egypt and only narrowly losing to Uruguay in friendlies at the back end of 2025, so they have cause for optimism in North America.

Uzbekistan qualified under the stewardship of national legend Timur Kapadze – but he was replaced in October by a World Cup great: Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain, modern legend Fabio Cannavaro – previously manager of Dinamo Zagreb and, on the international stage, China.

Cannavaro will turn to a crop of players predominantly based in Uzbekistan, though most of the side’s leading lights play their club football abroad. Among them are Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, the first Uzbek to feature in the Premier League – joining Man City from Lens in January last year for a reported £33.6m – and skipper and record goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov of Turkey’s İstanbul Başakşehir.

Taking their place in Group K, Uzbekistan kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Colombia in Mexico City, before meeting Portugal and DR Congo. With the best eight of the 12 third-placed group finishers going through, Cannavaro’s men ought to fancy their chances of advancing to the knockout stage – where England could await.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

Mikel Arteta’s obsessive focus on control faces ultimate test in PSG showdown

Arsenal stand on the brink of their greatest-ever season with PSG the only hurdle left for Mikel Arteta’s team to clear.

By Graham Ruthven

Mikel Arteta does things a certain way. Some neutrals wish he didn’t, such is the cautious approach frequently employed by Arsenal, but nobody can question the effectiveness of the Spaniard’s methods after the Gunners ended their 20-year wait for Premier League glory this season.

Everything Arteta does is geared towards control. He wants to eliminate every opposition threat in every match Arsenal play, and he has been successful in this effort. Indeed, it was the Gunners’ defensive strength that played the biggest role in them becoming Premier League winners.

On Saturday, though, Arteta’s obsessive focus on control will face its biggest test. Paris Saint-Germain also like to control matches, although they do so in a very different way. While Arteta sets up Arsenal to limit opponents, Luis Enrique’s PSG side are built to expose the teams they come up against.

Arsenal boast the most clean sheets (nine) in this season’s Champions League. PSG, however, have the highest average possession share per match beyond Bayern Munich, who the French champions brushed aside in the semi-finals. On top of this, PSG are averaging 547.6 accurate passes per match compared to Arsenal’s tally of just 389.4 per match.

In the past, Enrique has been criticised for favouring possession for the sake of possession. His Spain team were too easy to play against because they lacked the natural creativity to do anything with the ball when they had it. They were too risk-averse in the biggest matches in the biggest tournaments.

As PSG manager, though, Enrique has the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué as final third difference-makers with Joao Neves and Vitinha as natural ball progressors behind them, driving the reigning European champions forward from midfield.

PSG’s movement and rotations will stretch Arsenal. They must find a way to keep the gaps between their defenders compact without being so compact that the Premier League champions can’t get out when they win possession. Arteta must strike the right balance between the two.

*Arsenal have the best defence in the Champions League, but only rank ninth for goals scored per match*

No matter what happens in Budapest on Saturday, this season has been a success for Arsenal. Winning the Premier League title was the culmination of a long process that started when Arteta was appointed manager back in 2019. Sunday’s parade around North London will be joyous even if the Gunners have just one trophy to show off.

And yet Saturday’s match is an opportunity for Arsenal to further highlight how far they have come. They have already proved themselves as an established member of the Europe elite by making the final, but a victory over PSG would be momentous and the ultimate vindication of Arteta.

“We need that energy to flow and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake,” said Arteta when asked whether Arsenal will carry their title celebrations into the Champions League final. “We already talked about what we have to do in Budapest, how we’re going to use all the incredible energy that we’re all carrying towards that final, and tomorrow we’re going to start to prepare for it.”

Arteta will have options to utilise against PSG depending on the state of the game. Viktor Gyökeres has proved himself as a physical focal point capable of roughing up opposition defenders and running the channels. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, is more tactile in the way he performs the number nine role.

Eberechi Eze could offer goal threat with his shooting from the edge of the box while Martin Ødegaard is a more nimble creator through his use of the ball. Gabriel Martinelli has the skill set to provide some verticality down the left with Leandro Trossard effective through his box-crashing runs and general eye for goal.

This is another area where Arteta has moulded Arsenal into a team capable of competing against, and beating, the very best. The Spaniard pushed for his squad to be strengthened when other managers might have targeted flashier first team figures. Arteta knew he needed options in every position on the pitch.

Ultimately, it might not matter against PSG. The French giants have already seen off Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich on their path to this season’s Champions League final and they will have ideas on how to disrupt Arsenal too. Nothing in Budapest will faze Enrique and his players. They have complete belief in what they are and what they do, and with very good reason.

The same could be said of Arsenal, though, who have been building to this moment for a long time. Arteta and Enrique exist on the same spectrum, but at opposite ends to one another. The teams they have moulded in their own image are proof of this and Saturday’s Champions League final could be more compelling for it.

(Images from IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Opinion: Ivan Toney’s England call up a risk worth making for Thomas Tuchel

Ivan Toney was a surprising selection in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, but the 30-year-old shouldn’t be underestimated.

By Graham Ruthven

The release of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup certainly caused discussion. The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden had been expected. Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire’s omissions were more surprising while 35-year-old Jordan Henderson’s inclusion was triggering to many.

Ivan Toney’s selection was also a surprise. Out of sight, out of mind, the former Brentford striker has spent the last two years in the Saudi Pro League. His decision to join Al-Ahli was seen by many as something that would prevent him from being a major part of the national team going forward.

And for the most part Toney has been a fringe figure for England. The centre forward has played just at international level since Euro 2024 when he was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad in Germany and looked to be on the outside looking in following an unsuccessful recall by Tuchel last year.

By Tuchel’s own admission, Toney failed to make a positive impression when he was called into the England squad for two matches against Andorra and Senegal last June. “I was not happy with the June camp,” said the German coach. “He knows that. And we had to clear the air after that. That was the first step to even start thinking about calling him up again, because I was not happy.”

*Toney’s goal laden two seasons in Saudi Arabia*

In Saudi Arabia this season, though, Toney has been a goal-scoring machine. He won the Saudi Pro League golden boot, netting 32 goals in just 31 starts, outshining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané, all of whom have failed to meet the standard being set by the former Brentford man.

As a focal point, Toney could be a useful option for England this summer. He certainly was at Euro 2024 when he made a game-changing contribution off the bench in the round of 16 against Slovakia. Had it not been for Toney, the Three Lions might have suffered an early exit from the tournament.

Major tournaments are often decided by moments and Toney is a big moments player. He has kept his scoring touch sharp in the Saudi Pro League and could be valuable in a scenario when Tuchel needs something to change the game state. As a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ player, taking Toney to the World Cup makes sense.

*Toney’s player traits compared with strikers in similar leagues*

“We started talking about different scenarios and what would be the most offensive lineup if we are going 1-0 down with 15 minutes to play, ten minutes plus extra time we need a goal. We are pushing. We are around the box. Balls are flying into the box,” said Tuchel when explaining the thought process behind picking Toney.

“Then his name comes up constantly. Because he has a presence. Harry [Kane] loves to play with him, because he thinks that he takes the attention off him. He is even more of an old-school No. 9 than Harry himself.

“So would he be a player you would like to fall the ball down to if there is a ricochet in the box? Yes. Absolutely. Would he be the player that you want to have this touch? Does he take, with his presence, the attention off other strikers? Yes. He suddenly ticks a lot of boxes for us.”

Tuchel has done his due diligence, reportedly relying on his fellow countryman Matthias Jaissle (Al-Ahli manager) for insight on Toney as a player and a personality. His call-up won’t have been taken lightly. Tuchel, who was spoiled for choice by England’s depth of talent pool, has surely considered every aspect of his 26-man squad.

In the past, England managers have made the mistake of simply picking the best available players without any consideration for how they will fit together at a major tournament. Tuchel has taken a risk by leaving out so many elite-level performers, but England wanted someone to improve them as a team and the German is working through a process to achieve this.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin might feel aggrieved that his 14-goal season for Leeds United wasn’t enough to earn a place on the plane to the World Cup. He is operating in a stronger league than Toney who plays his club football in a division deemed only the 42nd-best in the world by Opta.

Danny Welbeck is another Premier League striker who potentially could have offered England something. The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker scored 13 league goals for Brighton this season and has experience of playing at major tournaments for the Three Lions.

Toney, however, has shown he can provide a different dimension. Tuchel was sure enough of this to bring him back into the fold after a bad first impression. It would have been easier to omit Toney than call him up, but the Al-Ahli striker is someone who could make a difference when it matters most.

Big cultural flex using The Beatles to announce the England World Cup squad! 💪 https://t.co/6dAmJ5om4e
— FotMob (@FotMob) May 22, 2026

(Images from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Oliver Glasner eyes perfect Cystal Palace farewell with European glory

When Oliver Glasner replaced the outgoing Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park in February 2024, Crystal Palace were languishing 15th in the Premier League table after losing ten of their previous 17 matches.

By Ross Kilvington

Glasner certainly had managerial pedigree. During his spell with Eintracht Frankfurt, he led Die Adler to the Europa League in 2022 before losing the German Cup final a year later.

Following someone like Hodgson, though, was always going to be a difficult task. Fast forward nearly two and a half years, and Glasner has presided over the most successful period in Palace’s history.

“I arrived as a stranger and I will leave as a South Londoner.” Said the Austrian in January amid the news that he wasn’t going to extend his contract beyond this summer.

Should he lead Palace to their maiden European title on Wednesday evening, South Londoner will be merely a modest title, with the word hero possibly being more fitting, especially considering his achievements over the previous 12 months.

Crystal Palace have enjoyed the finest 12 months in their history

The run to the Conference League final this season has been made possible by the Eagles finally ending their major trophy drought at Wembley last May.

Not many gave Glasner’s side a chance against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, yet Eberechi Eze scored the opener after just 16 minutes and Palace didn’t look back.

A few months later, the club were back at the national stadium for the Community Shield. This time, Liverpool were the opposition and heavy favourites after spending over £400m in the transfer window.

Yet again, however, Palace tore up the script and prevailed on penalties. Was this the start of something truly special?

Despite losing just two of their opening 12 Premier League matches, the news of Glasner’s decision to leave at the end of the season saw a drastic dip in domestic form.

Between December 14 and May 24, Palace won four league matches, while also suffering a humiliating FA Cup exit to Macclesfield Town.

In normal circumstances, Glasner likely would have left the club by now. But this hasn’t been an ordinary season, as a European adventure has proven to be a welcome distraction for the 51-year-old and his team.

*Glasner’s points per game record in the Premier League*

Eagles ready to soar in Leipzig

Glasner is no stranger to success in Europe. As mentioned, he led Frankfurt to the Europa League title in 2022 thanks to a penalty shootout win over Rangers.

His credentials were boosted even further when he led the Bundesliga side to the knockout stages of the Champions League. It is no wonder Palace were one of the favourites to win the Conference League this term.

With expectations high, Palace staggered through the group stages like a heavyweight boxer in the 12th round, winning just three of their six fixtures.

Ten points from 18 meant the Eagles finished tenth in the standings, setting up a playoff clash against Zrinjski for a place in the last 16.

Aggregate wins over the Bosnian side and AEK Larnaca moved Glasner’s men into the quarter-finals. Only then, did the club start moving through the gears with ease.

In the first leg against Fiorentina, Palace were outstanding. Ismaïla Sarr and Jean Philippe Mateta ran the show, scoring once apiece while combining for eight shots during the game.

If that display was good, 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the semi-final was even more important considering what was at stake.

*Ismaïla Sarr has been the star of Palaces’ first European campaign*

Glasner lined up with a 3-4-3 system which worked to perfection. The South Londoners may have averaged just 29% possession during the match, yet managed five big chances. Goals from Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jørgen Strand Larsen sealed a vital away win.

A 2-1 win at Selhurst Park a week late ensured Palace progressed into their first ever European final. Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano stand in Glasner’s way in what is remarkably, his fourth final in the previous four years at club level.

“I expect a very tight game against such a good team … For me we will play the tactically best team in the Conference League that we have played so far.” Admitted Glasner ahead of the final.

Whatever happens in Leipzig on Wednesday evening, it has been a wonderful ride over the last two years. Win or lose, Glasner will go down as the most successful manager in Palace’s history.

Despite those highs, there was some toxicity at one stage, with the supporters going as far to not even sing Glasner’s name when the news was announced that he was departing at the end of the campaign.

The 51-year-old will have his fair share of offers this summer, that much is certain. Previously, he was linked with the Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur roles, but those have been filled in recent months.

Furthermore, there were rumours that Juventus might be keen on luring Glasner to Turin ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Adding the Conference League trophy to his already impressive CV will cap off a truly wonderful spell at Selhurst Park.

If so, perhaps the supporters will finally chant his name at the Red Bull Arena once the whistle blows on Wednesday.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano battle it out for European glory

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano face each either for a chance to make history in the Conference League final at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.

By Ross Kilvington

Neither team had never reached a major European final, let alone win one, prior to the competition this season.

Oliver Glasner will want to end on a high with Crystal Palace

Glasner will take charge of his final match in charge of Palace against Rayo after he announced back in January that he was departing this summer.

Since taking over the Eagles in February 2024, the Austrian has presided over the most successful era in Palace’s modern history.

Not only did Palace win the FA Cup last year after a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City, but they also won the Community Shield a few months later.

Although this season hasn’t quite gone to plan from a domestic viewpoint, the European adventure has been a welcome distraction.

After coming through one round of qualifying, Palace won just three of their six group stage matches to finish tenth in the standings.

Aggregate wins over Zrinjski, AEK Larnaca, Fiorentina and Shakhtar Donetsk has set up this clash against Rayo in Germany.

Glasner will be desperate to go out on a high, but he is facing a team looking to write their own fairytale story on Wednesday evening.

Rayo Vallecano looking to make history of their own

How Rayo Vallecano are in this position is anyone’s guess. The Vallecas Stadium – Rayo’s ground – is in derelict condition, owner Raúl Martín Presa has a strained relationship with the supporters and the club doesn’t even have an online ticketing system.

On the pitch, however, things have clicked ridiculously well over the previous 12 months. Finishing eighth in LaLiga in 2024/25 saw Rayo secure qualification for the Conference League and they haven’t looked back since.

Four wins from six in the group stage ensured progress into the last 16. Since then, aggregate victories over Samsunspor, AEK Athens and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg has taken Los Franjirrojos into a maiden European final.

Whatever happens, this is a season Rayo will never forget. If they beat Palace, at least one trophy will be heading back to Madrid this season after both Real and Atlético failed to win any silverware…

Team news

Glasner will definitely be without Cheick Doucouré and Eddie Nketiah for the final, while several other players are doubtful.

Chris Richards and Borna Sosa are just two who might not be involved, but Adam Wharton could play a part, despite coming off against Arsenal with an ankle injury.

Luiz Felipe will be absent for Rayo due to injury. Elsewhere, Carlos Martín and Ilias Akhomach remain doubtful for arguably the biggest game in Rayo’s history.

Prediction

This one is rather tough to call. While Palace may have been among the favourites to win the tournament since qualifying for the group stage, Rayo have gotten stronger and stronger as the competition has progressed.

Extra time is certainly on the cards, and I reckon Palace will just edge this one on penalties, giving Glasner the perfect send off in the process.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

MLS Wrap Matchday 15: Messi’s Miami break another record and Evander finds his form

This weekend witnessed the last round of Major League Soccer before the mid-season break for a FIFA World Cup in its vicinity.

By James Nalton

Plenty of early-season narratives were confirmed, while the best team in the league during this opening stage consolidated their place at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings for the next two months.

Typical Inter Miami

If you want a summary of Inter Miami’s season so far, this final game before the World Cup break was it.

A 6-4 win at Nu Stadium versus Philadelphia Union gave them another win, which keeps them second in the Eastern Conference, but also added plenty more to the goals against column.

This team have the best attack in the league, which isn’t surprising given they have Lionel Messi, but also one of the worst defences, and showed that in the most exaggerated fashion to date against the Union on Sunday, with the eight goals scored in the first half breaking an MLS record.

There were hat-tricks for Miami’s Luis Suárez and for the Union’s Milan Iloski, who earned the game’s (but not the matchweek’s, more on that later) highest FotMob rating with 9.8, ahead of Suárez’s 9.7.

It was a feel-good win in an entertaining but low-quality game that had no regard for defending, though it also came with the worrying sight of Messi leaving the pitch in the 73rd minute and heading straight down the tunnel.

Interim Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos described the issue as fatigue, which for Messi usually means a slight muscle injury he needs to recover from in time for bigger and more important games.

The No. 10 would have been eager to make sure any mild pain didn’t turn into something more serious, as his Argentina side look to defend their World Cup title this summer. He wasn’t taking any risks.

Looking beyond the summer, Inter Miami are strongly linked with the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who will be a free agent after his contract with Manchester United expires in June.

Though the 34-year-old adds experience in a position they need to strengthen, he might not be mobile enough to solve the tactical problem they have of being unable to defend counter-attacks.

The issue against the Union was that they couldn’t really defend any type of situation, though, and Casemiro could at least help organise things on the field. Luckily for Miami, they can score goals from any type of situation, too.

Union from best to worst

The result meant yet another defeat for defending Supporters’Shield champions, Philadelphia Union, and the only unusual aspect of it from their point of view is that they managed to score four goals.

Defeats have become all too familiar for the Pennsylvania side, who have gone from topping the regular season table in 2025 to being rooted to the bottom at the end of this opening part of the 2026 season.

They have lost ten of their 15 games, only winning one, in what has been the worst start to a regular season title defence imaginable.

There is some cause for optimism, not least in that there are no games for two months. This gives them a chance to sort out whatever needs sorting, on and off the pitch, but whether they make the most of it remains to be seen.

They are also not the worst team in the league as far as xG difference is concerned, sitting 20th out of 30 teams in that regard, and also have the third-most touches in the opposition box in the league, just behind Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Though the Union have been poor, and there is plenty they need to do to get back on track, they are not quite as bad as the league table suggests.

Nashville top for two months

While Inter Miami are all about the attack, with little regard paid to defending, Nashville have shown the benefits of a solid defence by rising to the top of the league after the opening 15 games.

This defensive solidity has also helped in the absence of top goal-getter Sam Surridge, who has been out injured for the majority of the past two months.

Goals still need scoring if a team is to hold such a position in the league table, though, and as with the defending, it’s been very much a team effort.

Credit needs to go to head coach and former United States interim manager BJ Callaghan, who has set the team up to make them difficult to beat, but also with every chance of winning any game they go into.

Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi both scored their first goals of the season this weekend to give Nashville a 2-1 win at home to New York City, taking the number of different scorers for the club in the league this year to 11.

Goalkeeper Brian Schwake put in another good performance between the posts, and he’s now third in the league for “goals prevented” on 4.8, behind Seattle’s Andrew Thomas and New England’s Matt Turner (both 6.0).

Evander back to his best

Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander has been one of the best players in MLS each season since he moved to the league to join Portland Timbers in 2023.

He’s hit double figures for goals in the past two seasons and is only one away from doing so again in 2026.

He’s now in his second campaign with FC Cincinnati, having moved there last year, and for the past couple of seasons, he’s arguably been the best of the rest in the league, behind Messi.

It has been an inconsistent start to the season for the team from Ohio, and Evander hasn’t quite caught the eye at his usual level, but that is beginning to change.

The 27-year-old has seven goals and five assists in his last five games, including two goals and three assists to earn a FotMob rating of 9.9, just 0.1 short of the magic 10 in a 6-2 win against Orlando City on Saturday night.

The Cincinnati fans will hope he can pick up where he left off when MLS resumes two months from now.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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