On the finish of a significant event, it’s all the time tempting to marvel what may need been, how historical past may need been written. However for a number of twists of destiny – a goal-line clearance, a dodgy penalty name, a fortunate deflection, a shot inches in one other course – perhaps this month’s entrance cowl would have Harry Kane on it, or Kylian Mbappe, or Virgil van Dijk or Toni Kroos, reasonably than Lamine Yamal. Possibly we’d be reflecting on England’s depth and resourcefulness, France’s dogged knowhow, the Netherlands’ subsequent technology or Germany’s re-emergence as a severe power on the prime desk. Littered across the digital trash bins of Europe’s best soccer writers are all these articles and others, outdated by the tales of Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri and Spain. And rightfully so – they have been the excellent staff of Euro 2024.
Whether or not the identical could possibly be mentioned of Argentina on this 12 months’s Copa America is much less clear, although it can’t be denied that head coach Lionel Scaloni has created a vastly spectacular successful machine. By triumphing on this 12 months’s event in america, they weren’t solely topped kings of North and South American soccer, but in addition received their third consecutive main event matching the good Spanish aspect of 2008-12.
Nonetheless, the highlight at this newest Copa was shining off the pitch simply as a lot because it was on it, with the US getting ready to co-host the World Cup in two years’ time. If this was the gown rehearsal for 2026, then there may be loads of work left to do earlier than the primary occasion kicks off as our US correspondent, James Nalton, found.
In amongst our protection of these competitions, plus a number of others that happened over the summer time, we’ve discovered room for the largest strikes of the switch window to this point. The signing that we’re most excited to announce, nonetheless, is that of Henry Winter, who writes his first month-to-month column for World Soccer on this challenge. Henry is among the absolute heavyweights of soccer writing, and we’re delighted to have him on board.
Jamie Evans, Managing Editor
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
10 From the Editor
11 The month in numbers
12 Henry Winter The voice of soccer
15 Jim Holden From Elland Street to Stateside
16 Keir Radnedge Euro 2024: Hosts ship
18 Jonathan Wilson The cult of the people
19 Obituaries
20 Folks on the transfer Greatest summer time transfers
EURO 2024: REVIEW
14 Objectives we’d prefer to see once more
22 Match overview
26 A to Z
28 Gamers of the Match
30 Crew-by-team evaluation
90 Squads
EURO 2024: THE COMPLETE RECORD
36 Ultimate
37 Semi-finals
38 Quarter-finals
40 Spherical of 16
44 Group A
46 Group B
48 Group C
50 Group D
52 Group E
54 Group F
COPA AMERICA 2024: REVIEW
58 Match overview
59 Objectives we’d prefer to see once more
61 Gamers of the Match
62 Crew-by-team evaluation
64 EyeWitness on the hosts
94 Squads
OTHER FEATURES
68 EyeWitness Antigua & Barbuda
72 Particular Report Al soccer scouting
99 My Greatest Sport Darijo Srna
WORLD SERVICE
78 Vanuatu & Fiji OFC Nations Cup overview
80 Colombia Apertura overview
82 South Asia SAFF Membership Championship
84 USA & Canada Leagues Cup preview
86 Nepal Operation rebuild
