Page 25 – The Pulse of Football

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.

Mar

2026

FotMob Profile: UE Sant Andreu’s promotion charge and extraordinary history

Barcelona are a global superpower and the figurehead of football in Catalunya. They’re top of LaLiga and ruthlessly chasing a 29th top-flight title. However, they’re not the only Catalan club on the verge of success this season, with fourth-tier side UE Sant Andreu closing in on something even more remarkable.

By Alex Connor

Hailing from northern Barcelona, Sant Andreu are top of the Segunda Federacion Group 3, and unbeaten in 15 league matches. In their latest fixture, Sant Andreu defeated Atlético Baleares 2-0, sealing their seventh successive victory. Poblense’s 0-0 draw with Espanyol B meant that their lead at the summit was extended to eight points. With just six matches of the season remaining, Sant Andreu are tantalisingly nearing promotion.

But why does their story matter? The globalisation of top clubs and the gentrification of the city have placed greater emphasis on lower-league football in Barcelona. The longing for something relatable, unapologetically Catalan, and community-focused has drawn floods of local people into the loving arms of Sant Andreu. Media agency Catalan News reported that club membership has increased from 670 in 2020 to over 4,850 in March 2025. Although this growth was very recent, Sant Andreu’s unique story is steeped in decades of history.

Founded in 1909, Sant Andreu was targeted during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. The kit and crest were changed by the Francoist regime, with its Catalan identity stripped. Narcis Sala’s appointment as club president coincided with sporting success as Sant Andreu secured promotion to the second division in the 1949/50 season. Sant Andreu’s spell at this level was short-lived, and financial issues led to relegation in 1953 to the third division, where it remained for 16 years.

Promotion in 1969 was followed by the construction of a new ground (Narcis Sala Stadium), which hosted its first match when Sant Andreu faced Barcelona in March 1970. By 1977, Sant Andreu were overwhelmed by crippling debt, compounded by relegation from the second tier. Club president Felix Romero was scrambling for a solution and brainstormed the most extraordinary idea.

Romero contacted legendary Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali and asked him to create a painting for auction to raise funds to save the club from bankruptcy. Incredibly, he agreed. Dali’s artwork was titled ‘Goal’ and was unveiled at a museum in his birthplace, Figueres. The painting was valued at approximately 4,000,000 Spanish pesetas, which roughly equated to €25,000, and was enough to pay off the debts.

A situation so bizarre and unconventional is easily explained as Dali was born in Catalunya. He related to a club so emblematic of its Catalan background. The Senyera (the Catalan flag) is portrayed by Sant Andreu’s home jersey, which has four red stripes on a yellow background, and referred to by the club’s nickname, the Quadribarrats. The kit is manufactured by Meyba, a Catalan company which supplied Barcelona in the 80s and early 90s. Meyba’s business collapsed in 1997, but they picked Sant Andreu as their first venture back into football.

The club’s non-negotiable values further embolden Sant Andreu’s distinct identity. Speaking to Catalan News, club spokesperson Gerard Alvarez said: “The values that this club represents define who we are; an anti-fascist, anti-racist, feminist, Catalanist, working class, and human rights-defending club.”

When Sant Andreu played Atlético Madrid in the 2018 Copa del Rey at the Wanda Metropolitano, the Quadribarrats wore the logo of Open Arms, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to rescuing migrants and refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, fleeing conflict and poor socio-economic conditions in search of peace and increased opportunities. It was a display of unity, highlighting the transformative work of an important cause.

This century, Sant Andreu has endured testing times on the pitch, even dropping to the fifth tier. However, promotion was achieved in the 2022/23 campaign through the play-offs, after beating Salamanca 3-2 on aggregate.

In the 2024/25 season, Sant Andreu finished third, nine points behind league winners and Pla de Barcelona derby rivals Club Esportiu Europa. The Segunda Federacion splits into five geographically arranged leagues, with only the first-place team promoted automatically. The 20 sides between second and fifth in their respective divisions must take part in a gruelling play-off tournament. They played Rayo Majadahonda in a two-legged play-off semi-final. After a 0-0 away draw in the first leg, Sant Andreu welcomed Majadahonda to the Narcis Sala stadium for the return fixture but lost 2-1. It was a crushing end to an admirable campaign.

However, Sant Andreu are firmly focused on redemption. With a lead at the top, which is beginning to look insurmountable, automatic promotion isn’t a fantasy, but now a glorious reality.

Sant Andreu have returned from the brink on many occasions, surviving bankruptcy, Franco’s dictatorship and play-off heartbreak. Their next league derby against Barcelona Atletic on 28 March is yet another crunch tie. Sant Andreu have never reached LaLiga, and although first-tier status is still tremendously far away, the club’s ability to rally, overcome and strive forward means that nothing is impossible.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Mar

2026

Nico O’Reilly’s versatility is already helping Man City and that can only benefit England

Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple are over, although a potential treble isn’t too bad. Man City’s 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final felt like a seismic moment as we enter the last few games of the season, and it was all thanks to a brace from young Nico O’Reilly.

By Alex Roberts

We live in the era of versatility. Every club wants a player who can essentially play anywhere, and for Man City, that’s O’Reilly. He came through as an attacking midfielder but has since become their first choice left-back.

Pep Guardiola made the decision ahead of City’s FA Cup third-round tie against Salford last season, it was O’Reilly’s fourth senior appearance for the club, and he had never played as a left-back before.

As it turns out, Pep knows what he’s doing (who could’ve known!?). O’Reilly was fantastic, scoring in what turned out to be an 8-0 win and announcing himself to the world. City still decided to sign Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves, though.

*O’Reilly’s player traits compared to similar players in Top 5 leagues*

O’Reilly made his made his 13^th start of this season in the cup final against Arsenal. Of course, in true Guardiola style, he wasn’t playing as your typical left-back. His height and sheer physicality made him a constant threat in front of goal, obviously.

His first goal was a bit of a gift. Kepa Arrizabalaga suffered from a major case of popadom hands, allowing Matheus Nunes’ cross to drop right in front of O’Reilly. Martin Zubimendi tried and failed miserably to muscle in front of him, but there was no chance.

The fact he started the move for his second goal is easily missed. Low on ideas, Arsenal pumped the ball towards Kai Havertz, but O’Reilly stuck out one of his long legs to win it well. City were patient in their build up, giving the youngster plenty of time to make his way into position.

Bukayo Saka was the only man on him, but again, the Arsenal player stood no chance. Hilariously, O’Reilly’s two headers were his only touches in the opposition box on the day. Talk about clinical.

“Since I was a kid I always played in midfield, I was always arriving in the box and scoring goals,” he said after the game. “To bring it in at senior level and the highest level, it’s good for me and adds goals to my game. A great feeling.”

*O’Reilly’s possession numbers in the Premier League this season*

O’Reilly’s overall numbers in the Premier League are a little skewed because he’s occasionally played in midfield, but he’s primarily been City’s left back. They very clearly show a player who can do it all.

He’s a high-volume ball carrier, completing 20 dribbles at a success rate of 40.8% and winning 132 duels. O’Reilly is also great in the air, winning 38 aerial duels at a success rate of 54.3%. He’s 6’4”, so that’s kind of to be expected.

Defensively, he’s no slouch either. O’Reilly has won 61 tackles, made 83 recoveries, and contributed to City keeping eight clean sheets. Where he really stands out is winning possession in the final third six times.

It’s no secret that Man City dominate almost every game they play. That requires O’Reilly to contribute massively in the final third. He has four goals, three assists, created 18 chances, five of which can be considered ‘big.’

Also, because of how tall he is and dominant in the air, he pops up in the opposition box regularly, having 72 touches. Having a player like O’Reilly in their arsenal is a huge bonus, simply put, he’s contributing in every aspect, and just as Mikel Arteta found out, he’s very hard to defend against.

*O’Reilly’s defensive numbers in the Premier League this season*

All of this should be music to the ears of England manager Thomas Tuchel. He isn’t exactly blessed with options at left-back heading into the summer’s World Cup, and he’s already a huge fan of O’Reilly, handing him his debut in the 2-0 win over Serbia.

Again, O’Reilly took the chance and ran with it. Across his 180 minutes against Serbia and Albania, he made three tackles, won nine duels at a 90% success rate, and four aerial duels at a 100% success rate, while having 117 accurate passes and three touches in the opposition box.

Looking at the other candidates, this is the first season since 2022/23 that Luke Shaw has managed to play over 30 games for Man United but hasn’t been called up once since Tuchel took over, so it’s starting to look like his England career may be over.

Djed Spence somehow managed to get a place in the 35-man squad to face Uruguay and Japan. Unfortunately for him, his club form means a place at the World Cup is unlikely, never mind a potential starting birth.

O’Reilly’s main competition for that spot both play for Newcastle. First, we have Tino Livramento. Although he’s primarily a right-back, he has featured and impressed on the opposite flank under Eddie Howe.

Livramento hasn’t been able to stay fit, though. He’s started just 12 Premier League games this season, and he doesn’t offer the same kind of output as O’Reilly, being more of a traditional full-back, running up and down the wing.

Now we come to Lewis Hall. His profile is a little closer to O’Reilly’s, the Newcastle ace also loves to carry the ball, completing 34 dribbles at a success rate of 58.6%, while also being a nuisance with 37 touches in the opposition box.

The biggest difference is O’Reilly offers a level of physicality that Hall can’t. Perhaps if Tuchel wanted to be a little cheeky, he could interchange the two depending on the opposition England face in the latter stages.

Man City’s academy is rightfully lauded as one of the best in the world, right now, they’re producing top level players at a rate only the likes of Barcelona, Benfica, and Ajax can match.

O’Reilly is a cut above, though. Something we haven’t seen much of in the Premier League, he’s the type of player that ushers in a new era, one in which positions don’t matter and versatility does.

(Images from IMAGO)

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Mar

2026

Preview: Argentina set for friendly clash against Mauritania

The reigning World Cup champions, Argentina, take another step along their preparations before attempting to defend their crown this summer as they face Mauritania in a friendly in Buenos Aires.

By Karl Matchett

Argentina are also playing Zambia during this international break in what’s effectively now a farewell to the public before trying to make it back-to-back successes on the global stage.

Spectacle and superstar

There won’t be much surprise if the lead-up to the game – and maybe the first half at least – is all about the usual Lionel Messi sideshow. At 38 years of age he’s still sharp and relentless in the final third; in MLS he may be but he can still top the lot, ranking ahead of 99% of similar forwards for goals and chances created and all 100% of them for touches and shots.

Still, the idea is to maximise what you get from Messi while maintaining balance elsewhere, which makes the likes of Julián Alvarez and Thiago Almada so vital with movement and workrate off the ball.

Plan in action

A little over a decade ago, Mauritania were in the bottom handful of national teams on the entire planet, by Fifa rankings anyway. Ground has been made in that regard, and they’ve been to three Afcon tournaments in the past seven years, but didn’t qualify for 2025’s edition and have never been to a World Cup.

It doesn’t seem like a testing opponent on first glance for Argentina, but they do face another (much stronger) African side in their World Cup group – Algeria – and also a World Cup finals debutant, in Jordan, so perhaps a defensive-minded opponent will provide some practice for what lies ahead. In reality, this is maybe the best alternative on offer at short notice, given Messi and co were supposed to be facing Spain in the Finalissima this weekend.

Recent matches

Three not-high-profile opponents have been Argentina’s choices since the qualifiers ended in a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador, with Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Angola all duly dispatched. Mauritania haven’t won any of their last six and have just one victory since the end of 2024.

Team news

Lionel Scaloni had a full squad in training at the start of the week and it’s expected the likes of Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Alvarez will all start, though Rodrigo De Paul could miss out with a knock.

Mauritania will look to Romania-based captain Aly Abeid for defensive organisation while Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama is hoping for an international debut.

Key Player

Enzo Fernández has been in the headlines over a potential summer move; at his best he is a scheming danger in the final third but he has been hot and cold this term. Over the past year he ranks in the top 5% of all attacking midfielders in Europe for getting on the ball; he should have plenty of that in this game so it’s all about whether he can find the telling ball to the front men.

Prediction

A routine win for the South American side but the key will be keeping up the tempo if they want to rack up the scoreline: Argentina 3-0 Mauritania.

(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.

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