<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mauricio-pochettino/">Mauricio Pochettino</a>’s nearly two years leading the USMNT will be put to the test in less than 50 days when the 2026 World Cup commences in North America. In the process of establishing his philosophy, Pochettino identified “friendly games” as one of the main challenges ahead of the competition.



Set to host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> had the advantage of skipping the World Cup qualifiers. However, having their spot already secured seemed to be an issue for Pochettino in terms of demanding more from his players.



Speaking on The Overlap YouTube channel, Pochettino was asked by Roy Keane if he had concerns over the lack of jeopardy since the team had already qualified: “When we (Pochettino &amp; staff) accept the challenge to go to America, we knew that it was going to be a problem how to approach the games. Because we were already qualified.“



The coach then explained a shift made during his time with the USMNT regarding the approach toward friendly games. “I avoid to say to the players, and to my staff, and the media in America to say friendly game. I say not official game. A friendly game is when you play with your friends. Non-official game is still not official, but it’s competitive. And sometimes they make that mistake: ‘This is a friendly game. I don’t need to take a risk.’ You need to create that habit,” he added.



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Apart from the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup, Pochettino’s tenure has featured more friendly games (14) than official ones (10) over his 24 games in charge. That number is set to grow in the friendlies prior to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a>, with one against Senegal (May 31st) and another yet to be confirmed.


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This change in terminology during the last international window was intended to change his players’ perception. “You don’t compete for a year and a half, and then you go to the World Cup to compete. It’s not like this, and we are fighting to change that mindset,” Pochettino added.



<h2>Pochettino still convinced of USMNT World Cup chances</h2>



Pochettino surprised fans when addressing the USMNT as potential World Cup winners in 2026. During the draw gala, he admitted to U.S. President Donald Trump that he sees the team winning the tournament, and he is far from taking that back.



When asked by Gary Neville if the goal is to reach the quarterfinals, he doubled down on winning the competition: “Why not? Why not? It’s all about to believe. Look at Morocco in Qatar, no one believed and they arrived to the semifinals. Or South Korea in Japan/Korea 2002, another semifinal. I think there’s plenty of examples. If you put a limit and the message is to arrive to quarterfinals… You don’t go through the group stage.“



Beyond citing World Cup history, he addressed Tottenham’s heroics in reaching the Champions League final against Ajax. “Everything is possible in football, and because I really believe it… Look what happened in 2019 in Amsterdam. It’s because the standard, the habit, and the mentality was to believe until the end. We believed and we got the result in the end,” he added.

Mauricio Pochettino identifies ‘friendly games’ as main challenge for USMNT ahead of 2026 World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino identifies 'friendly games' as main challenge for USMNT ahead of 2026 World Cup - World Soccer Talk

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In one month, Luis De La Fuente will have to confirm the final 26-man roster that will represent Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That means any last-minute injury could alter his plans—something highlighted by the recent scare involving <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lamine-yamal/">Lamine Yamal</a>.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/luis-de-la-fuente/">De La Fuente</a> spoke during a medical symposium at the CEMTRO clinic in Madrid this week. “Will Lamine be there?” was one of the questions posed to the coach regarding the availability of the Barcelona winger for Spain’s World Cup squad.



“In a call-up, we consider every scenario—whether you’re winning, losing, or if the opponent goes down to 10 men,” De La Fuente said, according to Marca. “There are players who can give you 20 minutes, and that has enormous value. Some players may not be able to give you 50 or 60 minutes, but they can deliver 20 very good ones—and that can make the difference.”



In that sense, the coach avoided addressing Yamal’s specific case but made it clear that his presence could still be crucial even if he is not at full fitness at the start of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a>. “Our priority is to arrive at the decisive stage with the best possible team,” he explained.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/22185135/lamine-yamal-fc-barcelona-celta-vigo-injury-1920x1080.webp" alt="Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona reacts to an injury after scoring." class="wp-image-638013"><figcaption>Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona reacts to an injury after scoring.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>De La Fuente has experience managing these situations</h2>



In nearly four years as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain">Spain</a> coach, Luis De La Fuente has faced situations that forced him to make difficult decisions, and that experience is now shaping his approach ahead of North America 2026.


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To explain his thinking regarding players who may not be at 100 percent for the World Cup, the coach cited an example from Euro 2024, where Spain were crowned champions. “Olmo arrived injured—we were close to leaving him out—but he went on to be decisive at the Euro. There are players who can come in less than fully fit and still make a difference in the knockout stages. Olmo was decisive from the quarterfinals onward,” De La Fuente said, referring to Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo.



Based on those comments, it can be inferred that Lamine Yamal’s place at the World Cup could be secure even if he does not fully recover before the tournament begins. Spain’s group-stage path includes matches against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, but the coach’s priority appears to be the knockout rounds that follow.



<h2>De La Fuente points to the schedule</h2>



In the same conversation, Luis De La Fuente shared his views on the growing number of injuries among elite players. “The pace is so intense, with matches every three or four days, that injuries are inevitable,” said the Spain coach. “It’s one thing to recover, and another to return to peak performance. The biggest risk when a player comes back is suffering another injury.”

Spain coach De La Fuente addresses injury concerns after Lamine Yamal scare ahead of 2026 World Cup

Spain coach De La Fuente addresses injury concerns after Lamine Yamal scare ahead of 2026 World Cup - World Soccer Talk

The road to the 2026 World Cup continues to deliver unexpected turns with just 41 days to go. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> are already closing in on what would likely be a historic sixth World Cup appearance, but Guillermo Ochoa has now emerged as a fresh part of that story.



All three figures are chasing the same rare milestone, with the possibility of reaching&nbsp;six World Cup appearances, something no player has achieved before. Now, a new decision from the Mexican veteran has added fresh intrigue to that race.



The latest development comes after uncertainty around Mexico’s goalkeeper depth chart heading into the tournament. Injuries and shifting form among younger options reopened the discussion over whether <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/guillermo-ochoa/">Ochoa</a> could still have a role for the national team despite approaching the final stage of his career.



The 40-year-old remains active at Limassol in Cyprus and has repeatedly made it clear that he still believes he can contribute. His vast experience, leadership, and proven World Cup pedigree have made him impossible to ignore.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/03/21144447/ochoa-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-629887"><figcaption>Mexico icon Guillermo Ochoa.</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mexico/">Mexico</a>’s coaching staff had been considering several names for the goalkeeper unit, including Raul Rangel and Carlos Acevedo. However, Ochoa’s experience on the biggest stage gives him an edge that statistics alone cannot fully measure.



<h2 id="block-54848dbc-8ce5-496e-bb68-9ca6ba603fc8">Ochoa’s reported decision revealed</h2>



In the middle of the growing speculation, clarity has emerged around Ochoa’s future. Reports confirm that&nbsp;he is set to be included in El Tri’s squad for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">2026 World Cup</a>, putting him in line for a historic appearance.



According to Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter), Guillermo Ochoa is set to be included in Mexico’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he would make his sixth World Cup appearance before retiring from professional football immediately after the tournament.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🇲🇽 Memo Ochoa will play his 6th World Cup representing Mexico as the legendary goalkeeper will make the squad. Ochoa will then retire from professional football right after, leaving club and national team. 👋🏼 <a href="https://t.co/fnJX2B3O6s">pic.twitter.com/fnJX2B3O6s</a>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2049855942678778033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2026</a></blockquote></div> 



That would place him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who are also expected to feature for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/portugal/">Portugal</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>, respectively. If all three appear, they would stand together in one of soccer’s most exclusive groups.



For Ochoa, the tournament would also serve as a farewell to both club and international action. After more than two decades at the professional level, the 2026 World Cup would become the final chapter of an extraordinary career.



<h2 id="block-ad721397-037a-48cc-bf00-9bcfcfefbf1f">Career built on World Cup moments</h2>



If everything unfolds as expected, the implications are enormous. Ochoa would join Ronaldo and Messi in becoming&nbsp;the first players ever to appear in six different World Cups, a milestone that has remained out of reach throughout the sport’s history.



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All three share a similar timeline. Their journeys began in&nbsp;Germany in 2006, continuing through&nbsp;South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022, creating a rare alignment across different eras of the game.



For Ochoa, the path has been unique. He started as a backup, grew into a leader, and eventually became one of the most recognizable goalkeepers on the global stage. His performances, particularly in tournaments like 2014, turned him into a symbol of resilience for the national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi set for new twist as Mexico great Guillermo Ochoa makes decision on 2026 World Cup participation amid retirement plan

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi set for new twist as Mexico great Guillermo Ochoa makes decision on 2026 World Cup participation amid retirement plan - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and Joao Felix continue to drive Al-Nassr toward a historic season, but this time the spotlight has shifted from the veteran icon to his younger Portuguese teammate. While Ronaldo remains central to the club’s title challenge, Felix has now achieved a remarkable milestone that places him above every previous Al-Nassr player in Saudi Pro League history.



The latest chapter came during Al-Nassr’s vital victory over Al-Ahli, where <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/joao-felix/">Felix</a> once again supplied the decisive moment for Ronaldo. Their growing partnership has become one of the most productive combinations in the league and a major reason why the club sits in such a commanding position.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al-Nassr</a> secured a tense 2-0 win over Al-Ahli, extending their outstanding winning streak and tightening their grip on the title race. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a trademark header after rising highest to meet an inswinging corner from Felix.



The finish was Ronaldo at his clinical best, but the build-up once again showcased Felix’s creativity. The Portuguese playmaker has repeatedly found ways to unlock packed defences, and his delivery on this occasion proved priceless.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">AT THIS TIME YESTERDAY, CRISTIANO RONALDO’S HEADER FROM JÕAO FELIX’S CORNER WENT IN AND THE STADIUM ERUPTED. .<a href="https://twitter.com/Merihdemiral?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Merihdemiral</a> trembled as he watched the ball go into the net. 🤤🤤<a href="https://t.co/EzwGFMa1E5">pic.twitter.com/EzwGFMa1E5</a> <a href="https://t.co/5JxacTK6Lg">https://t.co/5JxacTK6Lg</a>— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrTribune/status/2049937082982810106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2026</a></blockquote></div>



Ronaldo’s goal was his 25th league goal of the campaign and the latest sign that age has done little to slow his impact. Yet the night also belonged to the man who created it.



<h2>The record Felix has broken</h2>



With that assist, Joao Felix reached 12 assists in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi Pro League</a> this season, becoming the first Al-Nassr player ever to hit that mark in a single campaign, according to Sofascore‘s data. In doing so, he moved beyond the previous club best of 11 assists, a number previously achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023-24 and also matched in earlier years by Nordin Amrabat.



That means Felix has now officially surpassed Ronaldo’s all-time Al-Nassr single-season assist record in league play. It is a major achievement given Ronaldo’s enormous attacking influence since arriving in Saudi Arabia. For a player once criticized for inconsistency in Europe, the statistic signals a career revival at exactly the right time.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We have a new top scorer in <a href="https://twitter.com/julian_quiones3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@julian_quiones3</a>, while Joao Felix takes the top assistman spot alone 🔝 <a href="https://t.co/tIVvaVr2YI">pic.twitter.com/tIVvaVr2YI</a>— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SPL_EN/status/2050144198880342200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2026</a></blockquote></div> 



<h2>Career reborn in Riyadh thanks to Jorge Jesus</h2>



The 26-year-old forward joined Al-Nassr in July 2025 and quickly adapted to life in Saudi Arabia. Instead of being used as a drifting forward, he has thrived in a freer attacking midfield role where his passing range and movement can shape matches. In fact, he has delivered 39 goal contributions this season: 22 goals and 18 assists in 42 matches across all competitions. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/05115928/joao-felix-al-nassr-1920x1080.webp" alt="Al-Nassr FC star Joao Felix." class="wp-image-613994"><figcaption>Joao Felix of Al-Nassr FC celebrating.</figcaption></figure>



That makes the ongoing campaign the most productive club season of his career. His previous best came during the 2018-19 season at Benfica, when he first emerged as one of Europe’s brightest young talents with 20 goals and 11 assists. Now, years later, he appears to have rediscovered that same spark.



Much of Felix’s resurgence has been credited to manager Jorge Jesus, who repositioned him centrally and handed him greater responsibility in possession. The tactical adjustment has transformed both the player and Al-Nassr’s attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record falls as teammate Joao Felix breaks Al-Nassr legend’s longstanding Saudi Pro League mark

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record falls as teammate Joao Felix breaks Al-Nassr legend’s longstanding Saudi Pro League mark - World Soccer Talk

It is undeniable that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">FIFA World Cup</a> is the most important sporting event on the planet and, as such, the most prestigious soccer competition. The Olympics have traditionally played a secondary role in the sport, but that could change in the near future.



“Soccer is the most important sport,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., vice president of the International Olympic Committee, this week at La Liga headquarters in Madrid, according to Diario AS. “We want the senior men’s competition to more closely resemble the World Cup.”



In many disciplines such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and field hockey, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/olympics/">Olympics</a> represent the most important international tournament, even above each sport’s respective world championships. That is not the case with soccer, and the IOC’s goal is to make the competition more appealing.



At present, the key difference between Olympic soccer and the World Cup is the availability of top players. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fifa/">FIFA</a> reserves the presence of the sport’s biggest stars for its own tournament, while the Olympics imposes an under-23 age limit, with only three overage players allowed per squad.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/30162402/olympics-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-639988"><figcaption>Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, vice president of the International Olympic Committee.</figcaption></figure>



By removing that age limit, the Olympics could significantly raise the level of competition by featuring each country’s top players. However, such a move would require an agreement between the IOC and FIFA. “Both organizations have their own objectives, but I believe we will make meaningful progress toward achieving them,” Samaranch said.


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<h2>Club release obligations, another obstacle for the Olympics</h2>



Beyond the age restriction, Olympic soccer faces another major challenge in becoming more competitive: clubs are not required to release players. In official FIFA competitions, clubs must allow players to join their respective national teams. These are the so-called international breaks, during which World Cups, qualifiers, friendlies, and continental tournaments such as the UEFA Euro, Copa America, and Concacaf Gold Cup are played.



Outside of those FIFA windows, clubs are not obligated to release players for international duty. That is the case with the Olympics, where participation often depends on the player’s insistence and the club’s approval.



<h2>IOC proposal faces resistance</h2>



Initial reactions from figures within FIFA’s hierarchy have not been favorable toward the idea of removing the age restriction in Olympic soccer. “It would further overload the calendar, reduce club revenues, and affect players’ rest,” said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, according to Diario AS, regarding the possibility of elevating the Olympics. “It is fine as it is—it should not be like a World Cup.”

World Cup dominance under threat: Olympics consider removing soccer age restriction

World Cup dominance under threat: Olympics consider removing soccer age restriction - World Soccer Talk

Mexico are entering the final stretch of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning players are fighting for their last opportunities to make the roster. In that context, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/santiago-gimenez/">Santiago Gimenez</a>’s physical struggles at AC Milan could prove decisive.



“People close to Santi are fearing a catastrophe for the Milan striker,” journalist Carlos Ponce de Leon of Mexican outlet Diario Record said this week. “They fear he could miss out on a second consecutive World Cup.”



This report has surfaced this week for a specific reason. On Tuesday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mexico-announce-12-player-list-ahead-of-2026-world-cup-what-it-means-and-whats-next/">Javier Aguirre confirmed a preliminary list of 12 Liga MX players</a> who will begin training next week with a view toward the World Cup. While the list is not binding—and therefore does not guarantee a spot on the final roster—it offers a clear indication of the coach’s plans.



Among those 12 players are two center forwards. One is Armando Gonzalez of Chivas, who was expected to be included, as reports suggest he is competing for a spot with Inter Miami’s German Berterame. The surprise, however, was the inclusion of another player with a similar profile: Guillermo Martinez.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/21121946/marquez-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-637552"><figcaption>Javier Aguirre, coach of Mexico and Rafael Marquez, Assistant Coach.</figcaption></figure>



The 30-year-old forward has impressed recently with Pumas UNAM, where he has recorded five goals in 15 matches in the Liga MX Clausura tournament. Martinez has already been called up by Javier Aguirre twice this year: he played 24 minutes against Iceland in February and was an unused substitute during the March FIFA international window against Portugal and Belgium.


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<h2>Santiago Gimenez needs to regain full fitness</h2>



Under normal circumstances, Santiago Gimenez’s place at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a> would not be threatened by Guillermo Martinez’s performances at Pumas. However, the recent track record of the AC Milan striker is far from encouraging.



Gimenez has scored just one goal in the 2025-26 season and has made only 14 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. An ankle injury suffered in November required surgery and kept him sidelined for nearly five months, until his return in mid-March.



Since then, the Mexican striker has logged just 67 minutes across three Serie A matches with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ac-milan/">AC Milan</a>—against Torino, Napoli, and Hellas Verona— all coming off the bench, while also remaining an unused substitute on three other occasions.



<h2>Gimenez has yet to debut at the World Cup</h2>



Despite being one of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mexico/">Mexico</a>’s most promising players in recent years, Santiago Gimenez has yet to appear at a World Cup. He was left out of the squad for Qatar 2022 by then-head coach Gerardo Martino, who opted for other forwards such as Raul Jimenez, Henry Martin, and Rogelio Funes Mori.



In the years following that tournament, Gimenez established himself as a regular call-up under successive managers, including Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano, and Javier Aguirre. However, his recent injury issues have once again pushed him out of contention, with his last appearance for Mexico coming in October 2025 against Ecuador.

Report: Mexico star Santiago Gimenez risks missing 2026 World Cup amid injury struggles at Milan

Report: Mexico star Santiago Gimenez risks missing 2026 World Cup amid injury struggles at Milan - World Soccer Talk

What’s the biggest soccer honor in the world? There are plenty to choose from, and it’s a popular debate amongst supporters and pundits. Is the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> the ultimate prize? <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a>? Club or country? One can make an argument in favor of the overall quality and prestige of various competitions. But another way to frame the question is through the view of fans. What are the most important soccer titles to you and your club/team?



So that is the question we’ve asked our World Soccer Talk team. Not which competition is the best, most prestigious, or most competitive. Instead, as a fan of your favorite club and national team, which titles are most important to you?



We’ve broken down the vast array of men’s soccer competitions around the world, for both club and country, into twelve categories:



<ol><li>FIFA World Cup</li><li>Primary Continental Title (UEFA Euro, CONCACAF Gold Cup, Copa América, etc.)</li><li>Secondary Continental Title (Nations League, Africa Nations Championship, etc.)</li><li>The Olympic Games</li><li>FIFA Club World Cup</li><li>Continental Super Cup (UEFA Super Cup, Recopa Sudamericana, Campeones Cup, etc.)</li><li>Primary Continental Club Title (Champions League, Copa Libertadores, etc.)</li><li>Secondary Continental Club Title (Europa/Conference League, Copa Sudamericana, Leagues Cup, etc.)</li><li>Domestic Super Cup (Community Shield. etc.)</li><li>Domestic League Title (Premier League, MLS, LaLiga, Bundesliga, etc.)</li><li>Primary Domestic Cup (FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, Copa del Rey, U.S. Open Cup, etc.)</li><li>Secondary Domestic Cup (EFL League Cup, etc.)</li></ol>



The different titles were ranked from top (with a score of 1) to bottom (a score of 12), and then the results for each category averaged out. Thus, the lowest average number was the most important competition. Here’s how things turned out:



<h2>Most important soccer titles ranked</h2>



<h4>1 – Domestic League</h4>



Average Rank: 2.25 There is nothing like the glory of winning the league (at least to our crew, anyway). While other competitions offer a precious opportunity once every few years and can captivate the world, triumphing in the league after a long grinding campaign, and earning bragging rights over your rivals, clearly has its appeal. And in most leagues worldwide, winning a league is incredibly difficult. It requires a consistent performance throughout an entire season of matches – not just a good run of form over a few weeks in a knockout competition.



<h4>2 – Primary Continental Club Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 2.75 Win the league, and you get to play continental soccer. Maybe for your club, it’s the majesty of the UEFA Champions League or Copa Libertadores. But even in in the lesser Champions Leagues/Cups around the world, getting to challenge the best clubs in your region is a thrilling experience. Winning the competition is an incredible honor that only a select number of teams can lay claim to.



<h4>3 – FIFA World Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 3.50 Arguably the greatest spectacle in all of sports, the quadrennial international championship of soccer is certainly a coveted prize. Only eight nations have ever won the competition (six of them have done it more than once). To even get to the tournament proper requires making it through a difficult qualifying phase. It may be the pinnacle of the sport to many. But in this ranking, the top national team honor trails behind the trophies chased by the clubs we live and die with all year long.



<h4>4 (Tie) – Primary Domestic Cup / Primary Continental Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 5.00 Of equal importance to those polled are the main domestic cup competitions and the major continental international tournaments.



The FA Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia and all the similar competitions in each country always create fantastic drama and memorable moments. Smaller clubs have a chance to dream big each season, and one or two Goliaths inevitably fall to the Davids of the world.



Meanwhile, Euros, AFCON, Copa América, the Gold Cup, and others offer the international intrigue of the World Cup, just on a smaller scale. For some nations, it’s a frequent chance to dominate a region. For others, these competitions are incredibly difficult and massive undertakings to win.



<h4>5 – Secondary Continental Club Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 5.50 While not as prestigious as the main tournaments put on by each confederation, there is certainly still appeal to tournaments such as Europa League or Copa Sudamericana. And for many clubs, they offer a more realistic chance at continental glory. Some areas have sub-regional tournaments like CONCACAF’s Leagues Cup that fall into this category.



Winning a secondary cup will send you to the following season’s Champions League, but the title in and of itself is worth celebrating.



<h4>6 – Secondary Domestic Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 7.75 Not every domestic setup has one of these competitions, and some clubs view them as an afterthought until they find themselves in the latter stages. But a trophy is a trophy, and for some teams, a League Cup (or equivalent) title is the most realistically attainable championship they can set their sights on.



<h4>7 – FIFA Club World Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 8.00 This competition is in the final year of its current iteration. It will soon be replaced by both an expanded quadrennial tournament (similar to the international World Cup) and a new annual event. In any format, it’s a criminally underrated competition (in this specific fan’s view anyway). Soccer is the only major sport in the world that contests a true world championship for professional teams. Unlike in American major league sports, to be called “World Champions” in soccer you have to actually earn that title by defeating other champions from around the world. 



<h4>8 – The Olympic Games</h4>



Average Rank: 8.75 While the Olympics are certainly a massive global event, and the peak of international sports in many disciplines – both team and individual – soccer is a bit of an afterthought at the games.



Particularly since the tournament has been limited to mostly U-23 players, an Olympic gold medal is not really a major get for a national program’s trophy case. But even in the days when soccer at the Olympics was a senior tournament, it was vastly overshadowed in importance by the World Cup and competitions like Euros. And these rankings certainly dovetail with that historic assessment of the competition.



<h4>9 – Continental Super Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 9.00 Sure, they give out a trophy for these. But a glorified one-off friendly between the winners of different regional competitions carries little weight in the grand scheme of things. 



<h4>10 – Domestic Super Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 10.00 See above. It’s a fun little kickoff to each season. A novelty. But not really important. And if a club does a double and wins both the league and cup in a single season, this match isn’t even between two true winners. 



<h4>11 – Secondary Continental Cup</h4>



Average Rank: 10.50 More of a recent trend in some regions, some of these competitions are a way to create “meaning” for matches in international windows not taken up by existing competitions.



Nations League in Europe and North America fits that description. But then you have other tournaments that might have unique player requirements (like the Africa Nations Championship which requires all players to come from each nation’s respective domestic league). Others are sub-regional competitions like the Arab Cup. In any case, these second-tier international tournaments placed last in our rankings. 



Based on these results, our team here at World Soccer Talk certainly has a <a href="https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/51195900-club-over-country-2?ref_id=31713&amp;store_id=2885439" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">club over country</a> slant when it comes to valuing different competitions. But how do these rankings line up with how you rate the array of soccer tournaments around the world? Vote in the poll below to pick the most important championship to you as a fan:


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="654515f7f2b571abd7e47227" data-title="What&apos;s the most important soccer title to you as a fan of your favorite club and national team?" data-options="12"></div>


Or let us know in the comments below! Photos: Imago

What are the most important soccer titles?

Which soccer titles are the most important in the world? That depends on who you ask - and we asked ourselves.

What are the most important soccer titles? - World Soccer Talk

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If you try to explain why soccer is so fantastic to someone who doesn’t follow the sport, you won’t be able to find the words.



It is bizarre that such a global sport cannot be easily described. However, the feelings generated through the game provide its colloquial namesake. Soccer is a beautiful game.



Life, especially in the modern age, can feel frustrating and empty. We have more conveniences at our disposal than ever before. Yet, the world seems to be lurching from one chaotic disaster to the next.



For example, politics is shot. You can barely start logical debate with someone online before the vitriol arrives.



Soccer is far from immune from these downsides of the modern world, but at its core, it remains pure and beautiful.



State-owned Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain being able to spend a bottomless pit of money isn’t a great advert for the sport. But, beauty lies in the play on the pitch.



<h2>What makes soccer the greatest sport?</h2>



As enjoyable and immersive as American sports are, there is always a sense that you can know when to look at your phone, or when to go to the bathroom and not miss anything.



Soccer does not have that. The pace of the game is eye-watering. The speed at which momentum lurches from team-to-team is scary. It always has you on the edge of your seat, even if you don’t have any particular emotional attachment to the teams playing.



You can see moments that defy description on the soccer field. Thierry Henry’s magical first-touch and volley against Fabien Barthez in 2000. Lionel Messi running through an entire team before rounding the goalkeeper and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwoKBi3FHvo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcing himself</a> on the world stage against Getafe in 2007. These are moments which happen in the blink of an eye, but stay with you for a lifetime.



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="10 OF THE BEST: Goals against Manchester United | Featuring Thierry Henry and Alexis Sanchez" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4e_7CohQAfo?start=38&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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When played well, soccer can feel like an orchestra hitting all the right notes. Things that are difficult to achieve for the regular person can appear so easy to these generationally gifted athletes.



<h5>Soccer fans make the spectacle better</h5>



Whilst soccer fandom can sometimes go over the line, the presence of fans makes the game what it is.



Soccer in empty stadiums during the COVID-19 pandemic was awful. There was no feeling, no pressure, no anxiety. These feelings are the lifeblood of the game.



Who cares if <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> puts together more stoppage time drama if no one is there to see it? It was a travesty to see <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool </a>end decades of suffering in the league when it lifted the Premier League trophy to chair backs. 



Soccer can be an escape for so many. It attracts young people who suddenly get the feeling of belonging to something for perhaps the first time in their life.



They are no longer an anonymous person at school, but immediately they are part of a fan-base, all wanting, despairing for the same outcome, three points.



When you write this on paper, it doesn’t seem magical. It’s why non-soccer fans find the whole thing so bizarre. It’s difficult to explain, it just makes you feel a certain way.



<h5>Soccer connects generations</h5>



It has become somewhat of a cliché, but soccer has the potential to forge strong bonds between family members.



You will see some of the best father-son moments two people can describe coming at their soccer stadium of choice.



Again, it’s a moment of pure inconsequence in the grand scheme of things, but just think back to incidents you’ve seen with either your father or mother, and relived over and over for years. Soccer can create such longstanding bonds, and no matter how much money filters into the game and where it comes from, soccer will remain the greatest sport and experience ever invented.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Sven Simon

Soccer is the greatest sport on the planet

With billions of fans and a global outreach, soccer is the greatest sport in the world. Why is that, and how did that come to be?

Soccer is the greatest sport on the planet - World Soccer Talk

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