Help Out a Learning Football Fan

[Jalva22]

I knew this was the board to go to for this question!

I enjoy watching the World Cup and look forward to 2010. However, I know next to nothing about how big-time football is organized. So, some questions, working top-down:

-Does FIFA administer the World Cup? How does this year's currently running FIFA tournament play into the World Cup?

-Beyond the World Cup and this year's FIFA event, what is the next biggest event I should be watching?

-Leagues involving teams like Manchester United, how do they feed into international events?

Please help out an American that wants to learn more about the world's most popular sport! And please note that I tried to use the correct term for the sport instead of calling it "soccer!"

 

[CustardTart]

OK, I'm no expert but I'll try and help!!!

Yes, FIFA does administer the World Cup.

The Confederates Cup is seen as a dress-rehearsal for the World Cup it precedes, it uses around half of the stadia intended for use at the following year's World Cup and gives the host nation, who qualifies for that tournament automatically, a taste of competitive football during two years of friendlies...

Well, we watch the UEFA Cup which next occurs in 2012 in Poland and Ukraine and, as currently 14 of the top 20 teams in the FIFA World Rankings are UEFA members, it's worth a look...

I guess it's a given that the top clubs tend to field the top international players but selection for the national teams is down to the relevent national coach. Also the more successful clubs seem to resent their players engaging in international duty which is something I find hard to reconcile - but that's another story...

Amazing result for the USA beating Spain BTW!!!

 

[Jalva22]

Thanks for the info, CustardTart!

What are the best major publications devoted to covering international and/or UK club football?

 

[CustardTart]

I really like World Soccer - it gives you an interesting global overview... Otherwise, there's a mag called Four-Four-Two which has a more Premiership-centric approach...

If you're keen on English footie, why not join a Fantasy Football league when the new season starts in August??? I love this one...

 

[Jalva22]

Thanks again! I bookmarked that fantasy league page! Looks like fun!

 

[PoppyAnna]

Amazing result for the USA beating Spain BTW!!!

 

[Goofyish]

Here are a few websites that I Googled for you:

BBC Football Pages:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm

FIFA:
http://www.fifa.com/

The FA:
http://www.thefa.com/

Premier League:
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Home

UEFA:
http://www.uefa.com/

PFA:
http://www.givemefootball.com/

 

[luke]

there's a mag called Four-Four-Two

I haven't read a football mag for years but 4-4-2 is definitely a good place to focus on the English game.

Also a magazine called When Saturday Comes, which is a more light hearted approach to all things football.

Can I also ask if you ever listen to a podcast, DONT listen to World Soccer Daily, an LA based cast from two ex-pat Brits, they are just odious and my football team's fans is currently involved in a boycott against them and their sponsors

 

[Clare D]

You also have the Champions Legue where the top 4 teams from the English Premiership play against the other top finishers from other teams across Europe. You have teams like Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea playing against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC and Inter Milan.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/index.html

If you ever see a Brit wearing the shirts from their home team they'll be more than happy to chat football and give you loads of info about their team.

I am a Derby County fan (not much to shout about since the 70's about that) but we are one of the founding teams from the football league in 1888.