When you think of football powerhouses, the Philippines might not be the first country that comes to mind. Yet, the Philippines Women's National Football team, affectionately known as the Malditas, has been quietly paving their way in women's football, going from being underdogs to World Cup debutants. A Humble Beginning The Malditas' story isn't one of overnight success. Established in 1981, the team spent decades in the shadows of Asian football, struggling to make a significant impact on the international stage. For years, they dealt with limited resources, minimal support, a lack of competitive opportunities, and the still rampant stigma against...

After the group stage matches are done and dusted, the round of 16 begins. The top 16 nations from all the groups participate in the first and exciting knockout stage. Basically, all the table toppers and the runner-ups compete in the upcoming matches.  The top four teams in the third place of the tables also compete, rounding up to a total of 16 teams. The third-place teams are determined based on their points, goal difference, goals scored and total number of wins. The knockout stages completely eliminate the losing teams and penalties dictate the winner if the matches come to...

A sport that keeps creating new records and shattering the old ones, football is nothing short of a miraculous game. It’s an age-old phenomenon with historical origins dating back to the Mesoamerican cultures but with different variations.  The football we play today was born in England in the 19th century and since then, the popularity of men’s and women’s football has only kept rising. In fact, football is rated #1 in terms of global popularity, drawing interest from more than 40% of people, worldwide. And all the magic of this popular game happens on the football pitch.  If you are here,...

The men’s national football team of Norway is often considered an underdog. It hasn’t had the success of its neighbours, Sweden or Denmark, located nearby. However, the women’s team has been a leader for decades. In this article, we will focus on both sides and talk about the history of Norway’s international football team, the best players from the men’s side and their road to the FIFA World Cup 2026. So, without further ado, let’s begin! History of the Norway National Football Team The history of men’s football in Norway can be divided into three different parts.  Inception and Pre-War Era Norway’s men’s...