No other sport can touch football in terms of its global support and reach, with billions of spectators and participants proving that the beautiful game is truly peerless. What’s even more impressive is that it’s still growing, with more people pouring in to watch games and younger people in particular showing that they’ve got a huge soft spot for a kickabout. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup elevating awareness of the sport even higher, now’s the perfect time to talk about what’s next.
Euro 2028
Europe’s biggest tournament returns to the home of football, as the UK is sharing hosting duties with Ireland, providing an opportunity for the home nations to test their mettle against the best national sides from the continental mainland. Perhaps the most important part of Euro 2028 from an industry perspective will be the showcasing of the latest and greatest stadiums cropping up in the UK, with Premiership sides like Tottenham and Everton boasting world-class arenas set to host matches throughout the tournament.
While it might be tied to a single continent, Euro 2028 always brings in viewers from around the world, and one of the reasons for this is the growing sports betting scene, giving spectators from uninvolved countries a reason to stay interested in games. For instance, fans in Canada can use Powerplay’s soccer betting to wager on all sorts of international events, and football or ‘soccer’ tournaments in far-flung climes.
World Cup 2030
The next FIFA World Cup is one of the most significant for a long time, as it marks 100 years since the tournament was first held. In light of this, organisers are planning for a continent-spanning set of games hosted across South America, Europe, and even Africa.
Fans who have criticised the cost of attending the 2026 World Cup in North America will arguably have an even harder time justifying the travel expenses. However, as a once-in-a-century celebration, it’s possible to forgive FIFA for pushing the boat out.
New stars emerging
Another reason that the late-2020s will be interesting for football fans, beyond the big tournaments, is that we’re also seeing a generational shift in terms of the top talent. Era-defining
Millennial stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are coming to the end of their careers, creating space for Gen Z players to take up the torch and wow fans the world over.
Young players like Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland have already created impressive reputations for themselves, but the next few years will be when they cement their place in the annals of footballing history. Moreover, because the sport has such a wide reach, you never know when a new superstar will crop up from some obscure corner, as football really can elevate people from the most humble backgrounds to the status of world-famous celebrities.
So, football’s future looks undeniably bright, and a combination of big tournaments and exciting new talent will enable the sport to maintain its momentum as the 2020s draw to a close.
