Lists

Peak Performance: Five Players Who Will Be Appearing At Their Fifth World Cup In 2022

When it comes to international soccer, appearances, goals scored and trophies won are usually the biggest indicators of a successful career, and rightly so. But perhaps the most elusive achievement for an international footballer is appearing at five World Cups.

First, it requires an international career of at least 16 years. Around 30 or so active international players made their debut for their country before the 2006 World Cup. A player must also be on a team that qualifies for five successive World Cups — something only 13 countries have achieved.

The18's Champions League Semifinal Predictions

Our Champions League predictions arrive at the semifinal stage with Europe's premier club competition showcasing England's two best teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, Spain's top side, Real Madrid, and another Spanish representative, Villarreal, that's thoroughly deserving of its place having knocked out Bayern Munich, Juventus and Atalanta on its memorable journey.

Who will contest the final on May 28 at the Stade de France in Paris? Let's turn to our collective of Nostradamus-minded people.

What Has MLS Ever Done For U.S.? Look At The Incredible Depth Of The Latest U-20 Roster

We're under two months away from the all-important Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras, which serves as qualifying for both the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

It's going to be a wild tournament with 20 teams competing — the U.S. is in Group E alongside Canada, Cuba and Saint Kitts and Nevis — but only the semifinalists qualify for the World Cup while the Olympic spots are reserved for the two finalists. 

The Best World Cup Jerseys Through The Years

The World Cup began in 1930 and we've gotten some great international kits since the competition began.

Here is a list of some of our favorite.

Did yours make the list? Who do you think has the best international kit?

Most Hated Players | The18's Halftime Countdown

Welcome The18's Halftime Countdown of the Best Goals Ever Scored! 

9. Kurt Zouma

Breaking into this list for the first time ever, Kurt Zouma. Man, you drop kicked your cat, that’s not cool. 

8. Sexual Assaulters

Okay for number 8 on our list (honestly should be number one) are Adam Johnson, Benjamin Mendy, Mason Greenwood, Robinho, and everyone else who fits this category.

One Final Ride — Messi And Ronaldo’s World Cup Stats Heading Into Their Last Tournament

Two of soccer’s greatest stars are heading into what will likely be their final World Cups. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi look set to have one last dance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This winter’s tournament will be both of their fifth World Cups, so what are the Messi vs Ronaldo World Cup stats?

Messi vs Ronaldo World Cup Stats

Appearances

Messi: 19

Ronaldo: 17

Football For The People: Five U.S. Cities That Deserve To Host 2026 World Cup Matches

For the first time since 1994, the World Cup is back in North America. Sixteen cities — 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada — will be holding matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The host sites for 2026 World Cup games will be finalized in the first half of 2022, and, to no one's surprise, the games being contested in the United States will be played at rather large football stadiums.

The Players With The Most Career Goals In Soccer History

This list for the players with the most career goals in the history of soccer stretches from players who played in the early 1900s to the present day. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi score at an unprecedented rate in today’s game, but there are those from history whose rate of scoring was even more impressive.

The Guinness World Record for the most goals scored in a specified period is 1,281 by the Brazilian great Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

USA Fans Have Some Of The Worst Soccer Chants And Need Some New Ones For The World Cup

Some of the worst USA soccer chants are used far too often.

When the United States was paired with England in the 2022 World Cup draw, I knew there were going to be problems. With the shared language and historic rivalry on and off the field, there was bound to be beef. Fights on the internet broke out almost immediately between the two fan bases, with England fans pointing out Americans’ chants. 

8 Ways To Applaud Your Own Fans After Losing 7-1

There comes a time when every footballer experiences defeat on a totally embarrassing level. Lionel Messi has lost 8-2; Cristiano Ronaldo has twice been defeated 5-0. Fortuna's wheel is always turning.

But the great wisdom imparted by this game is to "meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." One must be gracious in victory and defeat, but this old cliché is always put to the test when you're on the receiving end of a thrashing.

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