Got the World Cup blues? Pick one of these clubs to cheer on instead
You’ve just been introduced to soccer through the World Cup. After a month of experiencing all the joy the sport has to offer, all of a sudden, it feels like you have nothing to root for. Well, the great thing about soccer is that even when the World Cup is over, there is still plenty of soccer to watch! From Premier League winner Arsenal to European champions PSG, here are eight clubs that you can root for before the next World Cup in 2030.
Arsenal
Coming off their first league title in 22 years, Arsenal is known for its solid defense and possession of the ball. Led by head coach Mikel Arteta, who previously played for the club for five years, Arsenal only conceded 27 goals in 38 Premier League matches. The team’s defense, led by William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, ensures the center of the pitch is completely locked down, not allowing top strikers to score.
Arsenal is also known for their intellectual set pieces. This includes sharp, accurate passes from corners and free kicks, as well as well-established chemistry among all the players. Additionally, 15 of the 29-person squad were called up for the World Cup, three of whom won the World Cup with Spain.
FC Barcelona
If you’re looking for an aggressive yet enjoyable team to watch, FC Barcelona is the team to watch. Known for its high line and talent depth, Barcelona plays what many will call risky.
With a high line, Barcelona’s back four play further up the pitch — closer to the halfway line — rather than sitting deep near their own goal. This compresses space and allows the team to press higher; however, it also means the defenders need to be quick and well-positioned, since there’s more open space behind them for an opponent to exploit with a ball over the top or a fast break. While some criticize Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, for using this risky tactic, it allowed them to win their second La Liga trophy in two years.
A big talking point of the club is its youth academy, La Masia, where many children who play for the club’s academy go on to be highly successful. Past La Masia graduates include Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Lamine Yamal, all of whom have won a World Cup for their country. In Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning team, eight of Barcelona’s players were called up, the most of any club.
Manchester United
Though Manchester United have fallen from their glory days, the club continues to be one of the most popular clubs in the world. In the past few years, Manchester United has faced a mid-table slump, but this past season has seen an improvement. Spearheaded by former head coach Ruben Amorim, Manchester United plays a rigid 3-4-3 system, which means it has three defenders, four midfielders and three attackers. By loading its defense, Manchester United players focus on making accurate passes to its three attackers while ensuring its defense is secure.
Though Manchester United boasts a solid defense and midfield, the team has struggled to finish off attacks in recent years. However, what makes the team one of the most iconic teams in the world is its history. From 1986 to 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United, producing 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues and a long list of legendary players. This includes Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney. If you’re looking for a club with a long and rich history, Manchester United is the team to root for.
AC Milan
If there’s one thing Italian football is historically known for, it’s the tight defense, and AC Milan is currently the best at this. Built under Massimiliano Allegri, AC Milan ensures its defense is completely covered before it can move on to its attack. Usually playing with three defenders and five midfielders, AC Milan doesn’t let its opponents get after the ball and capitalizes on counterattacks, which means the club features a solid midfield. Led by Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modrić and Adrien Rabiot, these three midfielders have years of experience and ensure solid defensive and offensive play.
If there’s one thing AC Milan struggles with, it’s attack. With wingers Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, the pair haven’t been able to convert opportunities into goals. However, similar to Manchester United, AC Milan is known for its long history and producing top-quality players. Players like Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini have become arguably two of Italy’s best players of all time, while their 19 league titles and seven Champions League titles prove AC Milan has long been a dominant force in both Italian and world football.
Inter Milan
While AC Milan emphasizes tight defense, its rival, Inter Milan, does the opposite. Led by Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez and France’s Marcus Thuram, the two strikers have been able to convert almost every goal-scoring opportunity into a goal. The pair are easily able to dribble between defenders and make accurate kicks into the goal. While Martinez and Thuram are the team’s two main goalscorers, the rest of the team are also able to get in on the attack. Rather than having a rigid defense system, each player ensures to get the ball to either Martinez or Thuram to score. Additionally, defender Federico Dimarco’s 14 assists show that every Inter Milan player is involved in the attack.
Inter Milan’s attacking prowess saw seven of its players play in the 2026 World Cup, including Martinez winning second place with Argentina. The team’s history also defines its success. Founded in 1908, the club went through ups and downs, dominating football in the 60s before falling off, then coming back again in the 2000s.
Real Madrid
When Real Madrid acquired one of soccer’s greatest players, Kylian Mbappe, in 2024, everyone thought his signing would completely transform the club. However, it didn’t pan out well, mainly due to the club falling out with its former coach Xabi Alonso. Since Mbappe’s arrival, the team lacked proper chemistry, failing to connect passes and secure a tight defense. However, Real Madrid signed its new coach José Mourinho over this past summer, and things might look up for the club.
Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, where he won three trophies for the club and coached legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ángel Di María and Mesut Özil. More impressively, Mourinho set a league record in the 2011/2012 season when he led Real Madrid to score 100 points and 121 goals, a record that has yet to be beaten. For years, Mourinho has been known for his strict discipline with his players, which is something Real Madrid urgently needs now. With Mourinho at the helm and a star-studded team like Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid could possibly return to their peak.
PSG
While English, Spanish and Italian teams have long dominated European football, Paris Saint-Germain, also known as PSG, has emerged as one of the best clubs in Europe in recent years. Since the appointment of Luis Enrique, PSG have dominated the game. PSG have won the past two Champions League titles and have 14 league titles under their belts. The club has been home to some iconic soccer players over the years — Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho and, of course, Kylian Mbappe.
When Mbappe left the club for Real Madrid in 2024, most people thought PSG wouldn’t survive, but clearly, they have proved everyone wrong. The club plays fluidly with each player attacking and defending almost equally. They’re aggressive, know where to position themselves during dangerous opportunities and most of all, PSG have individual stars like Ousmane Dembele, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz. In total, the club sent 16 players to the 2026 World Cup.
Bayern Munich
If there’s a team that’s more explosive than any other, it’s Bayern Munich, and they’ve been doing this for years. The club has dominated the Bundesliga for decades, winning an astonishing 35 league titles in their history. Throughout the club’s history, Bayern have been known for their attack. In recent years, its attack has been led by England’s Harry Kane, France’s Michael Olise and Colombia’s Luis Diaz. With additional support from Germany’s Serge Gnabry and young talent Jamal Musiala, this attack has been ruthless against its opponents this past season.
The club’s defense is equally as explosive as its attack. While other clubs’ defense focuses on maintaining a high line and being able to make tackles, Bayern’s centers on pressing its opposing team. By limiting the number of chances its opponents can use as an attack, the club is able to stop opportunities before it even begins. If there’s a club that’s dominant as ever, it’s going to be Bayern Munich.
Wrap Up
While these clubs have long been a dominant force in their leagues and in Europe, there are plenty of other clubs to root for. In England’s Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all have loyal fan bases that have run for generations. In La Liga, Atletico Madrid is ruthless on defense with 14-year head coach Diego Simeone at the helm. Italy’s Juventus and Napoli have rich histories that run for decades. And there are other clubs like Dutch football club Ajax, Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, Portugal’s Porto and Benfica that are known to be underdogs in European soccer.
With that said, you don’t have to wait for another four years for the World Cup. Pick a club of your choice, and you’re guaranteed to have the same amount of joy as you did this past World Cup.
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