Since its debut in 2020, Ted Lasso has become one of television’s most beloved sports comedies, earning critical acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters and authentic portrayal of the football world.

While AFC Richmond may be fictional, the series has regularly blurred the line between fiction and reality by featuring a host of famous footballers in cameo appearances.

From Premier League legends to European icons, the Apple TV hit has welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport, with many appearing as themselves to add an extra layer of realism to the show’s football universe.

Whether making a brief appearance during match coverage, taking part in interviews or popping up in unexpected moments, each cameo has been a treat for eagle-eyed fans.

Chris Kamara

Mostly known for his time reporting for Sky Sports’ Gillette Soccer Saturday, Chris Kamara started his playing career in 1975 with Portsmouth, before playing right across the country throughout his 20-year career, with stints at Swindon, Brentford and Leeds before retiring at Bradford City. His first appearance in Ted Lasso comes during the second episode of the second series, appearing alongside the foul-mouthed Roy Kent as he tries his hand at punditry.

Clinton Morrison

Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Known for his two stints at Crystal Palace, as well as his time at Birmingham City and Coventry City, Clinton Morrison is another pundit to have portrayed himself in the hit comedy series. First appearing in the season three episode titled “We’ll Never Have Paris”, much like Kamara, the former Premier League striker, who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, appears on-screen as a Sky Sports pundit, and can be spotted in three episodes of the series.

Paul Merson

Once again, another one of Sky Sports’ most respected pundits has made an appearance in Ted Lasso. Paul Merson, who spent the vast majority of his playing career at Arsenal, appears in just one episode in season three, titled “4-5-1”, during which he also appears as a pundit, alongside Morrison, and long-serving Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling.

Thierry Henry

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Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, it’s no surprise that those behind the award-winning series requested the acting abilities of the Frenchman. Thierry Henry, who netted 174 times during his first stint at the Gunners, first appeared during the season two episode “Beard After Hours”, before making a further two cameos the following season. Henry’s acting chops were well known beforehand, with the legendary Arsenal striker appearing in a classic Renault advert in 2002.

Gary Lineker

Perhaps the most recognisable face of British football punditry, Lineker was inevitably going to feature in the series in some capacity. Having played for the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, following retirement, Gary Lineker became the poster-boy of the BBC’s football highlights program “Match Of The Day”. The Englishman features alongside Henry in all three episodes.

Peter Crouch

Known for his towering figure and acrobatic finishing, Peter Crouch has become one of the nation’s most beloved footballing superstars. Having featured for ten different English clubs, his 6 ft 7in frame made him hard to miss and saw him become one of football’s most identifiable stars. During the series, Crouch can be heard in radio show clips discussing the latest events at AFC Richmond.

Jermaine Jenas

With his single appearance during the season three episode “Big Week” as a pundit on the Premier League round-up show, Jermaine Jenas became the latest football star to portray his day job on the big screen. Having started his playing career at Nottingham Forest, a three-year stay in Newcastle paved the way for a move to Spurs, where he would stay for eight years before making a permanent move to QPR.

Ian Wright

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Whilst many football fans will know Ian Wright for his time as a pundit, particularly for his role on Sky Sports’ “Stick To Football”, Crystal Palace and Arsenal fans will recall his undoubted goalscoring ability. Wright’s sole appearance in Ted Lasso comes during the second season, where he also plays the part of a pundit.

Pep Guardiola

As one of the greatest managers to have ever managed in football, it seems rather fitting that Pep Guardiola appears in a show about a coach’s first steps into Premier League management. Appearing in the penultimate episode of the third season, titled “Mom City”, Guardiola acts out his role as Manchester City head coach in a game against Richmond, and shares a heartfelt moment with Lasso following the conclusion of the game.

Eni Aluko

Having previously played at Chelsea and Juventus, Eni Aluko is one of the most well-known female pundits in world football. Starting out at Birmingham City, Aluko enjoyed spells at Charlton and Chelsea before moving across the Atlantic, where she featured for numerous North American clubs. Her lone cameo in Ted Lasso comes in season two, episode five, during which she participates in a street football match against Richmond captain Isaac McAdoo.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or is one of the most unpredictable in years, with domestic performances and World Cup displays both being taken into account for the leading contenders.

However, there is no outstanding candidate to win the most prestigious individual award in world football. Lionel Messi and Rodri staked a serious claim with their World Cup performances, while Harry Kane and Michael Olise performed for both club and country across the year.

But who do the fans believe deserve the Golden Ball this year? Well, a fan vote carried out by L’Equipe after the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina showed there’s a clear favourite in their eyes.

Fan Vote Shows Who They Want to Win the Ballon d’Or

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Almost the entire vote was shared by 11 players. Jude Bellingham (0.5%) and Erling Haaland (1%) have the least chance of those names, sharing a small percentage of the fan vote. Bellingham netted seven goals as England finished third at the World Cup, while Haaland scored 58 in all competitions for club and country in the past season.

Michael Olise can perhaps feel a bit harshly treated here, as the Bayern Munich and France star finishes ninth in the fan vote. Despite breaking the assist record in a World Cup campaign (7), Olise has only been backed by 2.4%.

Likewise, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane share just 10% of the vote between them, despite being among the favourites in the eyes of some. Lamine Yamal, who is now a European and world champion, didn’t get much more support, with the Spain superstar just getting 7%.

Ahead of the teenager is a Paris Saint-Germain trio. Last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele (7.9%) and flying winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (9.8%) just missed out on a podium position for a surprise name.

Fabian Ruiz joined an exclusive club as one of the only players to ever win the Champions League and World Cup in the same season. He was a vital part of both PSG and Spain’s teams, too, so he maybe should be discussed more than he tends to be.

A staggering 48% is shared between the top two. Rodri, the 2024 winner and now a World Cup-winning captain, is the choice 16% would go for. But the Manchester City metronome is beaten in the poll by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

He’s now the all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals after sealing the Golden Boot with 10 more goals this summer. The 27-year-old only won the Supercopa de Espana, but still managed 44 goals for Los Blancos.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 04-08-26.

July 2026 was a damaging month for FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Following the widely criticised FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), and its subsequent withdrawal, confidence in the Swiss administrator crumbled away among the wider football community.

Unsurprisingly, it has led many to look forward. The governing body’s attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors will likely have football federations and member associations thinking about potential opposing candidates, with the UK’s newly-elected Prime Minister among those calling for Infantino’s resignation.

But if the writing is on the wall for Infantino, when could a new president be elected, and how will that process unfold?

When is the Next FIFA Presidential Election?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino via REUTERS/Gareth Bumstead

FIFA presidential elections operate under a four-year cycle and take place at the FIFA Congress that follows the World Cup. The most recent FIFA Congress took place on April 30 in Vancouver, Canada, prior to the 2026 World Cup.

The next FIFA Congress, which will include the presidential election, will take place on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. The African nation will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. This latest achievement for Morocco continues to build on a highly successful period, following on from its hosting of the CAF Excellence Center initiatives and another deep run at the 2026 World Cup.

Deadline for FIFA Presidential Nominations

REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

The election process essentially lasts one year, from one FIFA Congress to the next. Infantino is well aware of this strategic timeline, announcing his intention to stand again at the Vancouver congress earlier this year.

The deadline to submit a formal nomination for the role ahead of the 2027 Congress is November 18, 2026. The deadline normally occurs roughly four months prior to the election, allowing candidates plenty of time to convince member associations of their presidential qualities.

How do Nominations Work?

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Whilst confidence in the current president may have changed, the nomination process has not.

Two criteria must be met to qualify as a presidential candidate:

1. Firstly, candidates must acquire written support from five member associations prior to the set November 18 deadline. Crucially, member associations can only back one candidate. Securing the confidence of five member associations can build early momentum for a successful campaign, especially if they are influential nations. But, of course, a lot more support will be required to secure the presidential seat.
2. Secondly, they must be able to prove that they have “played an active role in association football” in at least two of the five years preceding their presidential candidacy. This can be, for example, a role within a member association or a FIFA committee.

Once a nomination is submitted, the candidates are subjected to mandatory integrity and ineligibility checks. These are carried out by the independent FIFA Review Committee. Once approved by the Review Committee, the presidential candidates are announced by FIFA. This signals their eligibility to stand for election at the next FIFA Congress.