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What is the DFB-Pokal?
The DFB-Pokal is the domestic cup competition in Germany -- their version of the FA Cup, if you will, but with significant differences. Here's a bit more about this annual competition. Why is it Called DFB-Pokal? Pokal is a German word for cup, and DFB stands for Deutscher Fußball-Bund, or German Football Federation. So a…
What is the FA Trophy?
The easiest way to think about the FA (Football Association) Trophy is that it's just like the FA Cup, only for semipro and amateur English football clubs. Let's learn more about the FA Trophy -- currently known as the Buildbase FA Trophy, as it is sponsored by the builders' supply chain -- starting with a…
What is the UEFA Nations League?
The UEFA Nations League is a biennial international soccer competition featuring the senior men’s national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA, the football confederation of Europe. Also, the UEFA Nations League is not actually a league; it's a tournament. We've tried to explain it in the simplest terms below. (Disclaimer: Some of the…
What Does it Mean in English Soccer to “Get Into Europe”?
As each English Premier League season winds down, there is a phrase that will be tossed around quite a bit: "Get into Europe." What does this mean? (Updated June 3, 2024) The short answer here is that "making the top four" means "Qualify for European club competition next season." But let's go just a little…
What is the UEFA Europa Conference League?
The European soccer powers have created yet another continental competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League. It is the third-tier offering underneath the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. So let’s answer the questions, what is the UEFA Europa Conference League, and how will it work? (Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links,…
What is the FA Vase?
What is the FA Vase in English football? Well, the defending champion is Romford, who play in a 2,000-seat stadium in the Essex Senior League at tier 9 of the English football pyramid. So one thing the FA Vase is not is glamorous. There are many leagues and cups in English football, from fully professional…
How Does Promotion and Relegation Work in English Soccer?
The system of promotion and relegation in English soccer is something Americans find confusing, since it doesn't exist in our sporting culture. But I think it's one of the many reasons to love watching soccer in England, so here is a little more about how it works. Before I explain what that even means, let's use…
Yes, English Soccer Does Have Playoffs
Are there playoffs in English soccer? The answer is yes, with two caveats: Not in the Premier League, and not to determine championships. Here's more about the playoffs. One of the biggest differences between English soccer and every American sport is that we Yanks rely on a postseason playoff to determine champions, whereas in England…
What is the English League Cup?
What is the League Cup, also known as the EFL Cup or Carabao Cup? There are a lot of things about English soccer that are unfamiliar for the American fan, starting with the fact that the Premier League is only one of several competitions going on during the season. We have a guide to all…
What is the UEFA Champions League?
The short answer is that the UEFA Champions League is the club championship of Europe, and probably, therefore, the most prestigious football competition in the world other than the World Cup. Also, somewhat strangely, it's not a league; it's a tournament. But before we explain more, let’s cover a little history. For a little background,…
