By Sota Nakazaki
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 – Champion Crowned
The biggest headline of the early year was the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco from late December into January. The final was one of the most dramatic in years:
- Senegal beat Morocco 1–0 after extra time in the final on 18 January 2026.
- Pape Gueye scored the lone, title-deciding goal early in extra time.
- It marked Senegal’s second AFCON title (they previously won in 2021).
This final was intense and controversial there were disputed penalties, the Senegal team briefly walked off in protest, and chaotic scenes involving fans. Despite all that, Senegal emerged champions, and celebrations rocked Dakar afterward.
Other AFCON Results
- Third place: Nigeria beat Egypt on penalties after a goalless draw.
- Knockout stalwarts included teams like Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, and Cameroon showcasing strong African talent.
The win also boosted Senegal’s FIFA world ranking, pushing them into the top dozen nations globally, and helped Morocco climb into the top 10 rankings.
MLS Cup 2025 – Inter Miami Makes History
Across the Atlantic, Major League Soccer’s championship match was held in early December 2025:
- Inter Miami CF defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup final.
- Lionel Messi was named MLS Cup MVP, crucial in Miami’s success.
- This was Inter Miami’s first MLS Cup win ever a massive milestone for the club and soccer in the U.S.
Messi also continued his amazing form, adding another major trophy to his decorated career and setting Thanksgiving-week headlines across North America.
Club Competitions Around the Globe
While AFCON and MLS Cup dominated headlines, several other competitions wrapped up late in 2025 and had big moments:
- PSG won the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, beating Flamengo in a thrilling final adding another global trophy for the French side.
- In South Africa, the Orlando Pirates claimed the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup, their first big domestic cup in a decade.
- North America’s club scene also saw Cruz Azul deliver a dominant performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 although that match happened in mid-2025, it still shaped the broader continental landscape.
Domestic Leagues in Full Swing
Across Europe and Asia, top domestic leagues are deep in their mid-season runs heading into the winter break:
- The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 all have title races heating up or reshuffling as teams prepare for the latter half of the season.
- Teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain continue pushing in league, cup, and European competitions.
World Cup Countdown
Speaking of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the schedule and group fixtures are set:
- The tournament opens on June 12, 2026 and finals on July 20, 2026.
- Hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada are readying for the expanded 48-team format a historic first for the sport.
National teams are now locking in friendly matches, training camps, and squad selections as they aim to peak mid-year for the World Cup.
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