A Glimpse into Soccer After the World Cup

4 weeks ago 0

39 days and 104 matches later, the World Cup has ended. Scottish fans amusingly placing traffic cones on statues is over. Video clips capturing fans’ tears of joy have stopped. Singing “Country Roads” or performing Viking rows will pause for now. If soccer is a newfound love, you might wonder what’s next.

Big summer tournaments await you. The Women’s World Cup in Brazil begins in June. The United Kingdom will host the men’s Euros in 2028. Soccer seldom breaks. Players will soon rejoin clubs in leagues like England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Germany’s Bundesliga. The Champions League, featuring Europe’s top teams, will also engage fans.

Premier League

The Premier League, the wealthiest league globally, includes powerhouses like Arsenal and Manchester City. Competitive underdogs such as Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion add excitement. The atmosphere at matches pulses with creative chants aimed at rivals. With diverse personalities among players and coaches, each season unfolds dramatically.

Who Plays There:

Erling Haaland, Manchester City: Famous for scoring 112 Premier League goals in four seasons, Haaland’s presence is notable.
Enzo Fernández, Chelsea: Celebrated for his goal in Argentina’s recent semifinal win, Fernández helped eliminate England and stirred reactions.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: Known as ‘Starboy,’ Saka’s performances have contributed to Arsenal claiming its first league title in 22 years.
Tyler Adams, Bournemouth: The American midfielder has been crucial to Bournemouth’s team since 2023.

How to Watch:

Matches typically occur on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday games happen too. West Coast viewers must rise early. Games start at 10 a.m. ET. The earliest game is at 7:30 a.m. A key match often happens at 12:30 p.m. NBC broadcasts major games. Other matches air on USA Network or Peacock. Check listings online for details.

2026-2027 Season Dates: Aug. 21 to May 30

La Liga

Real Madrid and Barcelona often dominate La Liga. They have claimed 11 of 12 recent league titles. Their matches include El Clásico, a fierce rivalry. The league boasts talented attacking players providing thrilling performances.

Who Plays There:

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: The 23-year-old English midfielder has starred for Real Madrid, scoring seven World Cup goals.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: The teenage phenom is emerging as a leading star for Barcelona.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid: Known for his curly hair, Cucurella recently joined Real Madrid from Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid: Mbappé has impressed consistently at recent World Cups and contributes significantly to Real Madrid.

How to Watch:

La Liga games start slightly later than Premier League ones, appealing to U.S. fans. You can watch every match on ESPN+, while major matches also air on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2.

2026-2027 Season Dates: Aug. 15 to May 30

Bundesliga

In the Bundesliga, fans sing passionately while players attack relentlessly. Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ is intimidating. Bayern Munich often claims the title.

Who Plays There:

Harry Kane, Bayern Munich: England’s captain excels since joining Bayern Munich in 2023.
Michael Olise, Bayern Munich: Olise shone brightly during France’s World Cup games.
Yan Diomandé, RB Leipzig: After impressing at the World Cup for Ivory Coast, Diomandé’s talents have attracted Premier League interest.

How to Watch:

Bundesliga games air through a new English-language agreement with USA Network and Fandango.

2026-2027 Season Dates: Aug. 28 to May 22

Champions League

European top clubs qualify annually for the Champions League. The opening phase features 36 clubs in eight matches, proceeding to knockout stages culminating in a final in a major city. The upcoming final will be in Madrid.

Who Plays There:

Top teams across Europe join the Champions League. Chelsea isn’t among them, as they finished 10th in the Premier League last season.

How to Watch:

Matches occur Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons on the East Coast. Paramount+ streams every game, while CBS broadcasts marquee matches, including the final.

2026-2027 Season Dates: Starts Sep. 8, with the final on June 5, 2027

MLS

MLS continues despite a World Cup pause, providing a mid-week soccer fix. While its quality diverges from elite European leagues, it’s improving. Clubs prioritize young talents, and unpredictable outcomes make it intriguing.

Who Plays There:

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Critics doubted Messi would maintain his performance level in MLS, but he’s defied expectations.
Son Heung-min, LAFC: Despite a challenging World Cup, Son remains a popular figure in Los Angeles.
Matt Freese, NYCFC: Freese performs well, but U.S. fans recall his misstep against Belgium.

How to Watch:

Most matches are on weekend nights, accessible via Apple TV, with select games shown on Fox Sports 1.

2026 Season Dates: Began Feb. 21, continues until Nov. 7, with playoffs afterward

Liga MX

Liga MX, Mexico’s league, leads in U.S. viewership. Rivalries like Club América vs Chivas de Guadalajara draw immense Hispanic audiences. A split-season format defines the champions in fall (Apertura) and spring (Clausura).