WELCOME

H appy New Year and welcome to 2026!

UPFRONT

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

MICHAEL LAUDRUP

“I called my father-in-law from the Virgin Islands to ask the score in the Euro 92 Final. It wouldn’t have been fair if I’d played that game”

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Our latest puzzlers deal with gorgeous French forwards, pristine records and a very niche class of goalscorer

JULES BREACH

The TNT Sports presenter revels in the magic of covering this season’s FA Cup

GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

NOTTS COUNTY 0 HULL 1 EFL Trophy, 1998

WHO IS THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S BEST EVER JANUARY SIGNING?

Tell us what you think via #FFTDebate on X or email us at fourfourtwo@ futurenet.com

MAISIE ADAM

The comedian on her search for Bielsa, a wedding gift from Pochettino and her Georgia Stanway face tattoo fears

“I HOLD THE CARDS AROUND HERE, PAL”

Thought 2025 was odd? This year will be madder, as FFT ’s predictions reveal…

THE DAY BECKHAM GROUND DOWN GREECE

Reputation restored, the skipper fired England to a World Cup

SOL CAMPBELL

The former England man hails a theoretical physicist, the father of America and one of Africa’s great leaders

“THIS IS HOW YOU LAUNCH A SUPER LEAGUE, FLORENTINO…”

The exotic OFC Pro League begins this month, featuring teams from New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tahiti, plus a gaffer from west Wales

THE THOUSAND GOAL STARE

Three years since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr, he’s laser-focused on hitting another milestone – 2026 will see him play his last World Cup and further his quest to become the first player to officially score 1,000 career goals. As those who know him tell FFT , he won’t be retiring until he’s done it

MILESTONE GOALS

As Ronaldo closes in on four figures, where and when it happens – as well as the unlucky keeper he beats – is yet to be seen

IF ANYONE CAN, XHAKA CAN

After helping Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title, Granit Xhaka has been key in Sunderland’s bid to become the first promoted side for three years to avoid an instant Championship return – he explains why Mikel Arteta saved his career

TH£ FOOTBALL RICH LI$T 2026

FFT counts down the 50 wealthiest people associated with the beautiful game – featuring the founder of MLS, a Kazakh in Wycombe and a winger in Thailand’s top tier…

IF THE CAP FITS

Tony Pulis hasn’t always been universally popular, but he’s the unexpected inspiration for a new top-flight trend this season – he tells FFT why he’s happy to be a style icon, right down to an unlikely acting debut…

TINSEL TOWN TERRACES

LA’s planetarium-inspired Cosm has been acclaimed as the world’s best place to watch football on a big screen – following in the footsteps of Danny DeVito, FFT headed there to learn what all the fuss is about…

THE BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

Featuring Fulham’s phenom, the next Pedri and a Balkan obelisk

“I’VE GOT THE QUALITY TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND, BUT TODAY’S GAME IS ABOUT STATISTICS. I NEED GOALS AND ASSISTS AS WELL”

The revered scribe chats to an Everton star who’s been in the form of his life

LUTZ PFANNENSTIEL WAS NO ORDINARY GOALKEEPER. HE…

FROM THE VAULT Played 400 games across 25

MY PERFECT XI BRIAN McCLAIR

The Scot selects a side filled with Manchester United and Celtic legends, plus a beloved commentator

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The WSL’s second-highest appearance maker discusses leading Newcastle’s new era, injury woes and her ticking off from an Arsenal great

WORLD’S BEST SUP-PAW-TERS

Scottish club Cowdenbeath are the first to sell season tickets for canine fans

ROTHERHAM UNITED

Millers diehard Luke Howdle remembers a Wembley wonder goal, an expensive flop and the Chuckle Brothers

NON-LEAGUE TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (AND BACK AGAIN)

After winning a Sky talent show, Ben Greenhalgh linked up with Jose Mourinho at Inter – now he’s managing Margate

YOU CAN’T WIN ANYTHING WITH KIDS

This year marks a decade since a revamped EFL Trophy first admitted Premier League academy teams. It’s been eventful to say the least…

“SOUTHGATE WASN’T HONEST – HE BENCHED ME WITHOUT EXPLANATION WHEN HE TOOK OVER AT BORO”

The diminutive playmaker opens up about Champions League heartache with Valencia, his ill-fated Lazio spell and the golden era at Middlesbrough

“I SNUCK BOBBY ROBSON OUT OF HOSPITAL IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR FISH CAKES AND A BOTTLE OF CHAMPERS”

The perennial number two talks about seizing the limelight in Poland, tough times at Newcastle and winning the Scotland squad over with Hadrian’s Wall

“A KNEE INJURY CHANGED THE SHAPE OF MY CAREER, BUT A BRAIN TUMOUR PUT IT ALL INTO PERSPECTIVE”

The Dutch striker on recovering from major surgery, being touted as Rangers’ answer to Henrik Larsson and the time Dick Advocaat ruined his Christmas

CHRISTIANIA HOME

The FourFourTwo shirt guru stands up for template kits with the help of a dynamite Danish number from Hummel