The World Cup came to an end after 39 days and 104 games.
There are no more videos for Scottish fans place traffic cones on statues and occupy the baseball field. No more fan clips tears of joy About what they had just witnessed. please don’t scream anymore “Country road” or viking row.
If you’re new to soccer, you might be thinking, “Now what?”
Well, for one thing, the big summer tournament isn’t that far away. women’s world cup in brazil will begin in June and will be hosted by the UK. Men’s Euro 2028.
But soccer actually takes very few breaks (as the exhausted players can attest).
In just a few weeks, some of the game’s biggest stars will return to their clubs and prepare for new seasons in the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga, to name a few. And of course, there’s the Champions League, which pits Europe’s best teams against each other.
Here’s a guide to some of the biggest leagues in the world and how to follow them, to help you resolve even the most serious cases of World Cup withdrawals.
Characteristics of the richest league in the world A powerhouse like Arsenal As well as Manchester City, there are also brave and increasingly competitive underdog teams like Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Supporters create a great atmosphere with creative and often expletive-filled chants directed at the opposition. And there are so many personalities in both the players and the stressful coaches that each 38-game season always turns into a melodrama.
Who plays there:
— Erling Haaland, Manchester City: The Norwegian striker’s zany personality took social media by storm This summer he became even more famous after scoring 112 Premier League goals in just four seasons with Man City.
— Enzo Fernandes, Chelsea: Chelsea’s social media team went wild after celebrating the midfielder’s stunning goal in last week’s semi-final victory over Argentina. As it turned out, Fernandes’ strike was contributed to the elimination of England.
— Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: The English midfielder, nicknamed ‘Starboy’, shines on the right wing. For Arsenal, They just won their first league championship in 22 years.
— Tyler Adams, Bournemouth: hard tackle american He will be a fixture in Bournemouth’s midfield from 2023.
How to watch: Matches are mainly held on Saturdays and Sundays, but matches are often held on weekdays as well. However, be prepared to wake up early, especially if you live on the West Coast. Most games are played at 10 a.m. ET, with early risers typically taking place at 7:30 a.m. and marquee games at 12:30 p.m. Many of the biggest games will be shown on NBC, while others will be shown on USA Network or Peacock. Get used to checking online listings and deciphering everything.
2026-2027 season dates: August 21st – May 30th
The league is long Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate. Both giants have won 11 of the last 12 league titles and meet twice a year in El Clasico, one of the world’s fiercest rivalries. Additionally, the league is also a showcase for creative and offensive talent.
Who plays there:
— Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: 23-year-old English midfielder scored 7 goals Appeared in the World Cup and has been a star player for Real Madrid for the past three seasons
— Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: spanish teenage genius He quickly emerged as Barcelona’s biggest star since Messi.
— Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid: The unmistakably curly-haired Spanish defender has just joined Los Blancos from Chelsea.
— Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid: french star He has achieved exceptional results in each of the past three World Cups. He hasn’t been too shabby at Real Madrid either, scoring 25 goals in La Liga last season.
How to watch: Games typically start a few hours later than Premier League games, making it easier for U.S. fans who aren’t morning people to watch. All games will be available on the ESPN+ app, with some of the bigger games also available on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
2026-2027 season dates: August 15th – May 30th
The constant singing of the fans in the crowd and the relentless attack of the players on the field make the Bundesliga a great TV show. of borussia dortmund The famous “yellow wall” The number of fans is especially scary. just don’t be surprised Bayern Munich wins the title again.
Who plays there:
— Harry Kane, Bayern Munich: captain of england He joined Germany’s most decorated club in 2023 and has continued to dominate the Bundesliga ever since.
— Michael Olisse, Bayern Munich: The winger produced some of the most exciting performances of the World Cup. France’s devastating attack.
— Yann Diomande, RB Leipzig: 19 years old He had a great World Cup with the Ivory Coast and attracted the attention of various top teams in the Premier League. Leipzig insist he is not for sale.
How to watch: The Bundesliga just signed English language deals with USA Network and Fandango. You’d be forgiven for not knowing that Fandango, the company best known for selling movie tickets, is getting into sports broadcasting.
2026-2027 season dates: August 28th – May 22nd
Each year, the top clubs from each European league qualify for the Champions League. Initially, 36 clubs will play eight matches each. From there, the field was narrowed down through the knockout rounds, ending with Finals in major European cities. Next time we’ll be in Madrid.
If you are looking for football of the highest technical quality, the Champions League is the answer. Unlike the World Cup, where teams have limited time together before the tournament, Champions League clubs are finely tuned teams that practice together almost all year round. For many fans, winning the Champions League trophy is even bigger prizes More than a league title.
Who will be participating: Almost all the European-based powerhouses will be participating. Chelsea is not like that. They finished 10th in the Premier League last season, too low to qualify.
How to watch: If you’re on the East Coast, most games are held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, which can interfere with work. All games will be available to stream on Paramount+, and major games, including the final, will also be broadcast on CBS. The finals often draw a larger global audience than the Super Bowl.
2026-2027 Season Dates: League games begin on September 8th, with the final to be played on June 5th, 2027.
Unlike major European leagues, MLS is progressing well, but Despite the suspension during the World Cup. So if you’re looking for your soccer fix, just wait until Wednesday night when you’ll have 15 different matches to choose from.
Although the quality on the field may not be as strong as in Europe’s elite competitions, The league has been steadily improving. Over the past 20 years, clubs have largely prioritized exciting young talent over aging stars (though some teams still continue down that path, for better or worse).
Also, this movement is very unpredictable. Dynasties are rare thanks to strict spending limits, and no team has won back-to-back titles since 2012. It gives each team’s fans hope at the beginning of the season.
Who plays there:
— Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Some thought so Joins MLS in 2023 The Argentine legend will lose some of his edge as he approaches 40. The doubters were wrong.
— Son Heung-min, LAFC: South Korea’s biggest star has disappointing world cupHe has yet to score a goal in MLS this season. But fans still flock to downtown Los Angeles to see the beloved 34-year-old striker.
— Matt Freeze, NYCFC: The U.S. goalkeeper has impressed for NYCFC, but it may be a while before U.S. fans look back on his past. Big failure against Belgium.
How to watch: The majority of games are played on weekend nights. All of these will be available on Apple TV, and some will also be shown on Fox Sports 1.
2026 Season Dates: The regular season begins February 21st and runs through November 7th, followed by the playoffs.
Liga MX
Did you think the Premier League was the most watched league in America? Think again: that honor actually comes mexican league, A large number of Hispanic viewers tune in to their favorite clubs, including rivals Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara. Not only is the competition intense, but there are also two winners each year thanks to the split-season format, with one champion crowned in the fall (Apertura) and one in the spring (Clausura).
Who plays there:
— Gilberto Mora, Club Tijuana: Mexican fans fell in love with this team 17 year old attacking midfielder When El Tri advanced to the round of 16.
How to watch: Select games are available in English on CBS Sports Network or Fox Sports. However, most of the viewers Spanish language broadcasting station, Univision, Telemundo, etc.
2026-2027 Season Dates: Regular Apertura campaigns begin July 16 and end in December. The Clausura campaign will run in early 2027.
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