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The Club World Cup in the United States only finished on 13 July, attention now turns back to the domestic front as Europe's top leagues gear up for the 2025-26 season. The Dutch Eredivisie kicks off on 8 August, followed closely by the Portuguese Primeira Liga and Spain’s La Liga. France’s Ligue 1, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A will get underway later in the month. TRENDINGBLOG247 Sport takes a closer look at the six major European leagues, key fixtures, and the players and storylines to follow:
Ligue 1 – France
Season begins: 15 August
Defending champions: Paris Saint-Germain (13 titles)
European representatives:
Champions League: PSG, Marseille, Monaco
UCL qualifying: Nice
Europa League: Lille, Lyon
Conference League: Strasbourg (play-off)
Promoted: Lorient, Metz, Paris FC
Relegated: Montpellier, Saint-Etienne, Reims
Notable signings:
Joaquin Panichelli (Strasbourg) – £14.3m
Jonathan Rowe (Marseille) – £12.5m
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Marseille) – £11.7m
Angel Gomes (Marseille) – Free
Eric Dier (Monaco) – Free
Olivier Giroud (Lille) – Free
Expert insight – Raphael Jucobin:
While PSG remain firm title favourites, they are expected to face stronger domestic competition in 2025-26. Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille have reinforced well, notably signing Angel Gomes and Facundo Medina. Monaco bring international flavour with names like Pogba, Dier, and Ansu Fati, while Paris FC will feature in their first top-flight derby with PSG since the 1980s. Strasbourg and Lens could challenge for European places as Lyon and Lille appear weakened.
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Eredivisie – Netherlands
Season begins: 8 August
Defending champions: PSV Eindhoven (26 titles)
European representatives:
Champions League: PSV, Ajax
UCL qualifying: Feyenoord
Europa League: Go Ahead Eagles, Utrecht
Conference League: AZ Alkmaar (second qualifying round)
Promoted: Excelsior, Telstar, Volendam
Relegated: Almere City, RKC Waalwijk, Willem II
Notable signings:
Ruben van Bommel (PSV) – £13.7m
Raul Moro (Ajax) – £9.5m
Sem Steijn (Feyenoord) – £8.7m
Yarek Gasiorowski (PSV) – £8.5m
Expert insight – Arthur Renard:
PSV enter the season as favourites, led by new signing Ruben van Bommel. Ajax, under John Heitinga, look to bounce back, while Feyenoord face a transitional year under Robin van Persie. Utrecht and AZ Alkmaar could disrupt the traditional top three. The player to watch is AZ’s Kees Smit, standout performer at the U19 Euros.
Primeira Liga – Portugal
Season begins: 8 August
Defending champions: Sporting CP (21 titles)
European representatives:
Champions League: Sporting
UCL qualifying: Benfica
Europa League: Porto, Braga
Conference League: Santa Clara (second qualifying round)
Promoted: Alverca, Tondela
Relegated: Boavista, Farense
Notable signings:
Richard Rios (Benfica) – £23.4m
Luis Suarez (Sporting) – £19.2m
Victor Froholdt (Porto) – £17.3m
Gabri Veiga (Porto) – £13m
Expert insight – Diogo Pombo:
Sporting must adapt to life without star striker Viktor Gyokeres. Porto look tactically advanced under coach Francisco Farioli, with a standout midfield trio of Varela, Froholdt and Veiga. Benfica, meanwhile, need more creativity in midfield to reignite their title push.
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