Pitch Magazine: The World Cup: Collector's Edition | Issue 16

Pitch Magazine Issue 16 explores the FIFA World Cup with a distinctive perspective, moving beyond mainstream coverage to uncover compelling stories from football's greatest tournament. Discover a comprehensive timeline charting nearly a century of World Cup history, from the modern era's birth at USA '94 to today. A strong Scottish narrative threads through the magazine, featuring an exclusive interview with 1978 World Cup captain Don Masson and an in-depth profile of Napoli's Scott McTominay. Meet the four first-time qualifiers making their World Cup debut, and journey across the Americas with insights into football culture from Clube Atlético Mineiro and beyond. The magazine also examines the tournament's complexities—exploring World Cups that never happened and five campaigns that went dramatically wrong, as analysed by Paul Simpson. With 104 matches scheduled for 2026, this collector's edition is your essential companion to understanding the stories, history, and drama surrounding football's most-watched event. Perfect for fans seeking depth beyond the headlines.