CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament: 2025 (New)

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is held biennially for the countries in North and Central America plus the Caribbean. Invitations are also extended to countries elsewhere. In 2025 it was Saudi Arabia's turn, the first time for that nation.

The chart to the right covers the last six tournaments with points awarded by me. For a history of the tournament going back to 1991, simply click here.

Below is shown the group standings and knock out stage matches. The two most successful participants are the USA and México and they both made the 2025 final. 

México prevailed 2-1 after falling behind to an early goal. This amazingly put both countries on the same points of 220, the USA first by virtue of being ahead coming into the 2025 event. 

México has now won consecutive tournaments and four of the last six held. Since 1991, they have won ten times but has only been the losing finalist twice. The USA in contrast has won seven and been a losing finalist six times. 

Europe U21 : 2025 (New)

The 2025 edition has concluded and I must say the freedom of younger players is refreshing. For this competition I only start rating from the quarter final matches as so many nations enter. 

First up for the 2025 tournament the last eight teams came together with England, Netherlands, Germany (after extra time) and France progressing. Then England and Germany made it to the final, the two best sides. England led 2-0 before Germany came back to take the match into extra time. England prevailed for the second consecutive time,

Now onto the historical part, going back to 1978 and covering 25 tournaments. It's getting hard to fit all the years in. Some countries have broken into smaller entities and I have shown that below. Pale blue shows the ones that no longer exist and the new countries that then participated.

England got off to a strong start before entering the doldrums but has recently come back strongly. Italy took over and enjoyed a golden spell of five victories in seven years. Spain has won five times but some poor years keep it just behind Italy. Germany has enjoyed success in more recent times.

Argentina: Clubs Ranked - 1961 to 2024 (Updated)

To say that Argentine football is organised in a chaotic way would be an understatement. I hope I managed to sort it out accurately. Success is quite well spread out compared to many countries in Europe.

To the right are the top sides listed. 'Arg' represents points awarded for domestic play and 'Tot' includes South America.

So how do the points work? In Primera División and the Campeonato Metro (and other names used) top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Copas (Cup) 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. In South America, the Copa Libertadores (Champions League) gives 8, 4 and 2 points. 

The Primera División - National or Clausura - has River Plate as the top side, ahead of Boca Juniors. Recent winners have been CA Lanús (2016), Boca Juniors (2017,18,20,22), Racing Club (2019), River Plate (2021,23) and Vélez Sársfield (2024).

Another league competition played was the Campeonato Metro - Apertura or Inicial - has also often been held concurrently. 

It first was held from 1967 to 1984 and later reinstalled from 1991 to 2014. The same results have nearly been achieved for the top five at least. 

They haven't been big on cup competitions in Argentina, probably due to two league competitions that left no time to squeeze them in. They are the Copa Argentina and Copa Liga Profesional. 

The Copa Argentina was contested in 1969 and 1970, then from 2012 to today. There was no winner declared in 1970 due to the final being drawn but I shared the points with the finalists. Central Córdoba is the current champion.

The other cup Copa Liga Profesional is probably close to League Cups elsewhere. I'm unsure if it is viewed as important as the Copa Argentina so I awarded the same points for top achievers, unlike what I do for Europe. It commenced in 2020 with Estudiantes LP the present trophy holder.

The Copa Libertadores has been a successful hunting ground for Argentine Clubs. As of now, they have almost taken the same number of points as Brazilian clubs. That's an impressive history.

Argentina was of their arch rival Brazil but have recently been overtaken. The last Argentinian title winner was River Plate in 2018 and before that the same club in 2015. Independiente was very successful in the 1960's and more so during the 70's but its last title was 1984. River Plate was a semi finalist in 2024.

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. Please let me know if you have anything to add. I found a few mistakes in my first edition which I have corrected. 

Most come from Buenas Aires which has 79.8% of all points scored. I called the next region Central, which is a similar latitude to BA and that region took 17.9%. The South and North are not prominent. It is all about the capital city. 

France Women Clubs Ranked - 1992/93 to 2024/25 (New)

France has a long history of women's football with the 1992/93 season being the 19th. The difference was from here it it was a truly national competition rather than being divisional with playoffs as was formally the case. This is where we start. 

Above and to the right we see the top sides. Olympique Lyonnais or OL Lyonnes as they are called now is well ahead. The club was formed in 2004 and was successful immediately as will become apparent. 

Points are earned this way: For the Division 1 Féminine the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. In the Coupe de France Féminine (FA Cup), 4 and 2 for the finalists, the European Champions League it's 8, 4 and 2 points. 

In OL Lyonnes' first year, it came third. From then it has won the league every year apart from 2020/21 when it inexplicably came second. I cannot recall a more dominant display in any sport.

Paris FC has been a very consistent club, only missing the top four on three occasions in 33 years. The other four on the list to the left have had long streaks of success too.

Long stretches at the top are common in the Division 1 Féminine. The lack of depth seems to be the reason which has season after season with the same teams in the top four. It does make is somewhat predictable. 

The Coupe de France Féminine also has a few prominent teams but not quite as pronounced as in the league as one would expect from a knock out format competition. PSG and Paris FC have been the last two winners.

The European Champions League took off for French clubs in the 2007/08 season. OL Lyonnes has gone on the win its eight trophies in eleven years from 2009/10. No other clubs have won but PSG has lost two finals, one against OL Lyonnes. They must get tired of losing to them. 

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. Any suggestions? Please leave a comment. 

The Central/East is the strongest area with 47.7% of the points I've awarded. Of course whatever region has OL Lyonnes will be on top. The North has two successful clubs and thanks to them 30.9% of the points. South also has two top performing clubs but the West doesn't. 

Six clubs dominate, spread over three regions. I thought with time, more clubs would be more competitive and I wonder if the game is to improve further in France whether more depth is needed.

Spain Women Clubs Ranked - 1988/89 to 2024/25 (New)

A women's national league was established for the 1988/89 season. Some of the clubs that enjoyed early success fell away and more established names replaced them. 

FC Barcelona emerged as a serious challenger in the 2010/11 season and has overpowered the other clubs since then. Real Madrid only started in the 2020/21 season.

Points are earned this way: For the Liga F (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. In the Copa de la Reina (FA Cup), 4 and 2 for the finalists, the European Champions League it's 8, 4 and 2 points. 

FC Barcelona won its first league title in 2011/12. From that time forward, it has won the league ten times including the last six. There was a four year period it came second so for all that time it has been either first or second.

For those four years there were other winners, they were Athletic Bilbao once and then Atlético Madrid three times. That brief AM dynasty was soon put to the sword. Levante UD was a top side from 1996/97 to 2008/09 but while still competitive hasn't been able to match the afore mentioned clubs in recent times. 

The Copa de la Reina was established five years before Liga F but I haven't counted those seasons. Añorga KKE was initially the most successful, replaced by Levante which in turn gave way to RDC Espanyol. 

Then FC Barcelona took over, winning ten of the cups since 2010/11. It also lost a final in 2016/17 so in that time has only missed four finals. Real Madrid, has made just one final in 2022/23, losing to Atlético Madrid.

For the Champions league, while Spain has had multiple entries only Barcelona has made a semi final or final appearance. They won four consecutive titles until the 2024/25 final when they lost to Arsenal WFC. In all six final appearances and two semi final spots for a tally of 44 points. 

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. Any suggestions? Please leave a comment. 

While Madrid is the strongest area for the men's game, for the women it's the East with 38.7% of the points earned. Madrid is at 23.4% and the Basque region is a high 19.2%. The South does well with 15.1%, the West just 3.4% and the Balearic/Canary combine a low 0.3%.

The Basque region was the most powerful early on but understandably has slipped as more established clubs got their act together. Real Madrid was particularly slow and is still yet to leave much of a mark.

Hungary Clubs Ranked - 1960/61 to 2024/25 (New)

There are three main clubs in Hungary as we can see to the right. The 'Hun' column represents local success and 'Tot' includes European action. The top three are from Budapest and four in the top eight. 

So how do the points work? In the Nemzeti Bajnokság I (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Magyar Kupa (Cup) 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. There was a brief flirting with a League Cup, 3 and 1 for the finalists. In Europe, Champions League 8, 4 and two, the Europa League (UEFA Cup) is given 6, 3 and 1 and the Cup Winner's Cup 4 and 2. 

The Nemzeti Bajnokság I has Ferencvárosi TC the best side since 1960/61. It has won the last seven titles to prove it. 

The second best Újpest FC hasn't won the league since 1997/98. Other recent winners apart from Ferencvárosi are Győri ETO FC 2012/13, Debreceni VSC 2013/14, Fehérvár FC in 2014/15 and 2017/18, plus Budapest Honvéd FC in 2016/17.

The Magyar Kupa started in the 1965 season in this period under consideration and was also missed in 1971. The last three cups have gone to Zalaegerszegi TE in 2022/23 and Paksi FC the last two. 

If you were thinking that Hungary would be absent from Europe, you would be wrong. However, success came some time back and since 1960/61, the 1960's and 70's was the sweet spot. Ferencvárosi TC won the Europa League in 1965. 

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs.

I've divided the country into a city and four regions. Budapest accounts for 63.1% of the points. Central surrounds Budapest, therefore is more central northern and it collected 13.7% of the total. The North East 10.0%, West (8.5%) and South 4.7%. 

Türkiye: Clubs Ranked - 1960/61 to 2024/25 (Updated)

The main four clubs in Türkiye are to the right. The 'Tur' column represents local success and 'Tot' includes European action which adds little to the tally. The top three are all from Istambul with Trabzonspor situated on the northern Black Sea coast. 

So how do the points work? In the Süper Lig (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Türkiye Kupası (Cup) 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. In Europe, the Europa League (UEFA Cup) is given 6, 3 and 1. 

The Süper Lig features the expected big four. Galatasaray has won the last three with Trabzonspor the one previous and Beşiktaş the one before that. Istanbul Başakşehir was top in 2019/20 as an emerging competitive club. 

The Türkiye Kupası was first contested during the 1962/63 season and it is shared around quite well. In the past six years there have been five different winners, Besiktas has won twice. Sivasspor was a surprise winner in 2021/22. Galatasaray is the current winner.

European action has only been in the Europa League, with Galatasaray defeating Arsenal in the 2000 final on penalties. Otherwise, it's been lean pickings. 

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. 

Marmara being the leading region with 74.0% of total points. It is mainly comprised of clubs from Istanbul. The northern coast along the Black Sea is next (13.6%), then the Central Region (5.8%) with Ankara being the main city. The Aegean Region (3.1%), the southern coast called the Mediterranean Region (2.6%) and finally the South East (0.9%).

France Clubs Ranked - 1960/61 to 2024/25 (Updated)

The top clubs are quite close as there isn't historically the dominance of a few compared to what other competitions have in Europe. In a world where success is driven by money, could it last? That has changed in the last decade and a half. Once a club has more money than others, it has a greater chance to take control and that is the case here. 

The first chart above shows domestic points and the 'Tot' figure includes European success. For domestic competitions, the Ligue 1 (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Coupe de France 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. 

The Coupe de la Ligue 3 and 1. In Europe, the Champions League (European Cup) 8 , 4 and two from the semi finals forward. The Europa League (UEFA Cup) got 6, 3 and 1. The new Conference League I added to the long defunct Cup Winner's Cup. They get 4 and 2 for the finalists. 

France had a very even league competition until 2013 when Paris St-Germain took over. It has won the league title for 11 of the last 13 years and is the current title holder. For the two it missed out on in that time they came second. Saint-Étienne was the most successful club in the 1970's and early 80's. Others took over for brief periods until PSG as mentioned above.

The Coupe de France has been won by so many clubs with no one dominating...until Paris St-Germain did. They have won eight cups since 2014/15 and you guessed it, the 2024/25 winners. That puts them well ahead on the chart to the right. The evenness is otherwise shown with the rest of the list, with only two points separating the next four clubs.  

The The Coupe de la Ligue was held between the 1993-94 season to 2019/20 when it ceased. I don't see the point of this competition in what is now a too busy schedule for players in Europe. In France they were smart enough to end it. PSG won six of the last seven editions and is therefore the permanent top side of this competition.

Europe isn't a happy hunting ground for French clubs for the three competitions they enter. Olympique de Marseille is the leader as the chart to the right shows. The 1990's was the most successful period, before PSG emerged as the leading French club. PSG won the Champions League in 2024/25 convincingly so is the tide turning?

Below is the club honours board, divided up into regions, which are quite even. A ranking number (RK) gives their place against all the other clubs. 

The North is the most successful at 30.5% of all points. The South has accumulated 28.1%, Central/East 22.1% and the West 19.3%. The South was the top region but PSG has been the driving force in taking the North there. 

Italy: Clubs Ranked - 1960/61 to 2024/25 (Updated)

Like many countries, a few clubs dominate and Italy is no different. Three mainly take the spoils here and they are well known outside of the country due to success in Europe. 

The chart to the right shows domestic success (Ita) and with European glory added (Tot). Juventus is the most successful in both areas. 

So how do the points work? In the Serie A (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Coppa Italia (Cup) 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. 

In Europe, the Champions League (European Cup) 8, 4 and two from the semi finals forward. The Europa League (UEFA Cup) got 6, 3 and 1. I added the new Conference League to the long defunct Cup Winner's Cup. They get 4 and 2 for the finalists. 

Serie A has Juventus at the top. It won the league consecutively from 2011/12 to 2019/2020. Recently, hey have been dogged with scandal over transfer dealings. The two clubs with Milan in their name have tried to keep up but not quite. Since 2020/21, AC Milan has won the title once, Internationale (Milan) twice as has Napoli who are also the current champions.

The Coppa Italia is shared more evenly but Juventus still leads and won the 2024 competition. It also won four consecutive trophies from 2014/15. Roma is next, winning the cup five times in six years from 2002/03. Inter Milan won the cup in 2022 and 2023 but remains fourth. Bologna FC are the current winners. 

In Europe there has been success but for the last 25 years not so much. In that time, AC Milan has won the Champions League twice and Internationale once. Atalanta won the Europa league in 2024. 

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. 

The North West is the most successful with 65.6% of all points issued and the top three clubs. The Central region is next (18.8%) with South (7.5%), North East (6.8%) and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia combined the lowest at 1.3% as one would expect. 

Denmark Clubs Ranked - 1960/61 to 2024/25 (New)

The chart to the right shows points for domestic (Den) and including European success in the Tot column. There is only one of the latter as is explained further down the page. 

As for how points are collected first domestic points. In the Superliga (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. The Danish Cup 4 and 2 points for the finalists only. The League Cup 3 & 1. 

Brøndby IF only started being at the top from the 1981/82 season and have been there since. Rival FC København only started in 1982/83 from a merger of two successful clubs  Kjøbenhavns BK and B.1903. The points the latter accrued are not added to FC København. FC Midtjylland came from a merger of clubs and from the 2000/01 season has been a force. It is the current league champion.

The cup is more evenly spread but FC København has been prominent in more recent times. Its won five of the last eleven and is the current holder of the trophy. Otherwise it has been shared around. One exception is AGF who haven't won the cup since 1995/96.

The League Cup has been a haphazard affair and hasn't been contested for some time. Brøndby IF has won it three times and B.1903 twice.

Success in Europe is all but nonexistent. Brøndby IF made the semi final of the Europa League in 190/91 but that's it. That makes the 'Tot" and 'Den' columns below much the same but I've retained the format used elsewhere.

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. There have been amalgamations and where possible I've carried points over to the new entity, FC København a notable exception. 

The regions are divided three ways. Zealand which includes the capital city Copenhagen, which has 55.2% of the points I've allocated. Jutland is next which is the mainland and they have achieved 34.9%. Finally 'Oth' covers Funen and Falster and each supplies two clubs. Combined, they have 9.9%.

England Women Clubs Ranked - 1991/92 to 2024/25 (Updated)

Because the women's game has been amateur for some years and only recently have things progressed, it's the most recent history that is more like the men's setup. Some of the earlier club's names sounded very small in scope which reflected the reality of their situation.

Professionalism really started in the 2011 season with the WFA Super League but I started in 1991/92 when its predecessor the FA Women's National League commenced. The chart to the right shows points accrued in England under 'Eng' and 'Tot'  includes European competition. Chelsea is the team at the moment but historically Arsenal is Ms Consistency. 

Points are earned this way: For the WFA National League (Division 1) the top four are rewarded with 6, 3, 2 and 1. In the FA Cup, 4 and 2 for the finalists, the FAW League Cup 3 and 1. The European Champions League it's 8, 4 and 2 points. 

The WFA league is no surprise with Arsenal WFC well ahead. Between 2000/01 and 2012 it won 11 out of the 12 titles. Trying to emulate that feat is Chelsea FCW has won 9 out of 11 from 2015 to 2024/25. In between that Liverpool FCW won 2013 and 2014. Doncaster Rovers were strong from 1991/92 to 2006/07 but little since. Charlton Athletic was of a similar timeframe. 

The FA Cup goes way back to the 1970/71 season but we start twenty one years later. Interestingly, Arsenal haven't won this since 2016. Chelsea have won five times since then including 2024/25, Manchester City twice and Manchester United once. 

The League Cup was first held in the 1991/92 season when this summary starts. It could be known as the Arsenal Cup. 

In the 32 years it has been contested, Arsenal have been in 23 finals and won 17 of those. Chelsea have been in the last six finals, winning thrice. 

Finally Europe. The European Champions League was first held in 2001/02 season but clubs in England haven't been that successful. Arsenal won it in 2007 and 2024/25 so are the current holders. Considering how dominant Chelsea were at home in 2024/25, they could only make it to the semi final.

All put together, the clubs are below. The grand total is shown for each club, divided into regions with a ranking number (Rk) which gives their place compared to all the other clubs. Any suggestions? Please leave a comment. 

For the men the North West is strongest but for the women, it's definitely London with 64.6% of the points and growing. The NW does come in next but a distant second with 19.8%. The NE (10.0%), Midlands (3.2%) and the South (2.4%) are well back with no sides doing well presently and losing ground to London.