The milestone football moments that celebrate big anniversaries in 2026

The festive period may now be winding down, but the first few days of January are all about looking forward to a new year, new hope and what's in store for the next twelve months. 

2026 promises to be a massive year in football, with the biggest-ever World Cup tournament at the centre of a packed year, but it's also a time to look back, and some huge moments will celebrate some big anniversaries this year. 

So, get ready to hashtag 'feeling old' as we get teary-eyed over some of the biggest events of 1996, 2006 and 2016...

 

It's now thirty years since.... 

Euro 96 

When Baddiel and Skinner released 'Three Lions' in the glorious summer of 1996, who knew the line 'thirty years of hurt' would depressingly become so dated so quickly?

Fast forward three decades and that total has now doubled as England's men's team search for their first major tournament win since Bobby Moore lifted the gold at Wembley in '66. 

It felt so different back then, though, it what was a fever dream of a tournament that saw Terry Venables go so close to winning Euro 96 but were once again foiled by a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Germany in the semi-final.

It was a tournament that saw Alan Shearer cement his status as one of Europe's best, Gazza score THAT goal against Scotland and the Three Lions demolish the Netherlands.

Away from the hosts, it was also a breakout tournament for Davor Suker and Karel Poborsky, as Croatia and the Czech Republic enjoyed fun in the English sun. 

In the end, though - as was the case at the time - Germany won again and rubbed salt in England's wounds by celebrating back home with a rendition of Three Lions of their own. 

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Liverpool's cream suits

The 90s were full of fashion faux pas, but there's only one that lives long in the memories of football fans thanks to Liverpool's 'Spice Boys' of 1996. 

Having reached the FA Cup Final, the Reds team featuring the young talents of Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp and David James made the ridiculous decision to take to the Wembley field pre-match in the most garish suits the hallowed turf had ever seen. 

The cream Armani suits were blamed on James' contract with the Italian brand, but no one has ever taken full responsibility for the move, which was made to look even more daft as Roy Evans' team lost 1-0 to Manchester United in what was the 90s' most drab FA Cup showpiece. 

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Beck's announces his arrival  

No one has lived a more high-profile life in the football world than David Beckham has in the last three decades, but it all really began on a sunny day at Selhurst Park on the opening day of the 1996-97 season. 

Wimbledon hosted champions Manchester United in a game that the Red Devils comfortably won 3-0, but it's best remembered for the iconic moment Beckham announced his arrival on the big stage. 

Seeing Dons' keeper Neil Sullivan off his line, the United youngster proceeded to send the ball downfield from just in his own half to lob the goalie and score one of the Premier League's most famous goals. 

It's now twenty years since... 

Zindane's headbutt 

The 2006 World Cup produced a tournament full of memories, from Rooney's injury to Ronaldo's goal-scoring, but nothing is a infamous as the way Zinedine Zidane bowed out of football in the tournament's final. 

With the game on a tightly-contested knife-edge between France and Italy, the French icon, who was set to retire from the game following the finals, took major umbrage at a comment from Italian defender Marco Materazzi and reacted in a moment that still defies belief. 

As extra time ticked away, Zindane shocked the football world by headbutting the defender with the full force of his bald head, earning himself a red card and omission from the crucial penalty shootout. 

France lost on spotkicks as it was later revealed that the reason behind his red mist was an alleged comment from Materazzi about his sister. What a way to go out.
 

Sven selects teen 

Before events had even started in Germany, England boss Sven Goran Eriksson pulled off a shock of his own with the selection of his World Cup squad. 

The Three Lions boasted a team that included the 'golden generation' of Terry, Beckham, Gerrard, Rooney and co, but it was the surprise inclusion of Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott that stunned fans. 

The 17-year-old has yet to play a single first-team game for the Gunners since his move from Southampton, but was taken as a 'secret weapon' and to experience tournament life for a player who was expected to dominate the national team for years to come.

Twenty years on, Walcott never fully lived up to that billing, but did earn 47 caps before retiring in 2023. 

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The Gerrard final 

FA Cup finals by their nature, are normally tight affairs, but Liverpool's win over West Ham twenty years ago was one of the exceptions. 

In a back-and-forth encounter, the Hammers looked to be heading to an upset over the Merseysiders with just seconds to spare in the game, until Steven Gerrard changed everything. 

The Liverpool captain lived up to his talismanic role by netting a 91st-minute screamer to break the hearts of Alan Pardew's side. 

It was Gerrard's second goal of the game to make it 3-3 and he went on to also score in the penalty shootout win to bring the cup back to Anfield. 

It's now ten years since... 

Leicester's fairytale win 

It's now been a decade since a Premier League win that is unlikely to ever happen again, as 1000-1 shot Leicester stunned football with a fairytale title win. 

The Foxes had finished the previous season with a narrow escape from relegation, but led by the lovable Claudio Ranieri, they took full advantage as the big boys slipped up and pulled off a shocking championship triumph. 

Jamie Vardy provided the goals, with Riyad Mahrez the team's creative spark and N'Golo Kante the relentless energy that summed up the win. 

The celebrations at Vardy's house after Chelsea saw off Tottenham will live long in the memory, as well as Andrea Bocelli's rendition of Nessun Dorma during the title party. A once-in-a-lifetime moment. 

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England iced out 

England fans have got used to being dumped out of major tournaments over the years, but no exit will sucumb to be as embarrassing for the Three Lions as their departure from Euro 2016. 

Having failed to top their group ahead of Wales, England fans thought their luck was in as they were paired with Iceland in the final 16 encounter. 

And, when Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for Roy Hodgson's side, it looked like all was going to plan. 

However, two quickfire goals from the underdogs saw them take the lead and from then on, England never looked like getting back into the game in what was one of their most limp performances in tournament football. 
 

Big Sam's one game 

Following England's depressing exit at Euro 2016, the FA went for the safety-first approach and appointed Sam Allardyce as the national team's new manager to replace Roy Hodgson. 

His reign got off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Slovakia, thanks to an Adam Lallana goal, but it would be the only game he'd be in charge of his country. 

Following a newspaper story in which in revealed Allardyce had been involved in allegations over malpractice in football, he was sacked from his dream job after just 67 days as Three Lions boss. 


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