The biggest moments in world football across a brilliant 2025

As we wind down the curtain on 2025, it's time to look back on what another eventful year it's been in the football world. 

It's that time of year to reminisce on the past twelve months in a year that saw Liverpool stop Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League, the underdogs prevail in both cup competitions and Sunderland make a return to the big time.

Yet, outside the domestic offerings, there were even more memorable moments to enjoy. DAZN News looks back at some of the best. 

Chelsea world champions 

2025 was the year when FIFA revamped the Club World Cup and turned it into a summer competition akin to a major international tournament - and what fun it was. 

Thirty-two teams from around the world competed in the US, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich mixing it with Auckland City, Inter Miami and Al-Hilal. 

In the end, the month-long entertainment came down to two, as Chelsea and European champions PSG met in the final, with the Blues impressively dispatching the French side with a 3-0 win. 

It was their second trophy in a month after also winning the Europa Conference League, as they were crowned world champions and lifted the trophy alongside US President Donald Trump, who was keen not to miss out on the celebrations with the Premier League side. 

Lionesses go back-to-back 

England's Lionesses put fans through the wringer during the defence of their Euros crown, but in the end, it was more than worth it. 

Sarina Weigman's team got off to a slow start in Switzerland, losing their opening game to France and needed some big slices of luck to get them through the knockout rounds. 

England needed a last-minute goal from Michelle Agyemang to force a penalty shootout win against Sweden, then Agyemang popped up again to rescue the Lionesses in the semi-final with a late equaliser before Chloe Kelly grabbed an extra-time winner.

Then it was world champions Spain in the final and another penalty shootout, that saw Hannah Hampton a hero between the sticks and Kelly once again sealing back-to-back Euros wins.

 Arsenal Women

PSG rule Europe 

PSG have been the dominant force in French football for over a decade, but the only thing that had always eluded them was a first-ever Champions League gong. 

Not even the signings of Messi and Neymar could deliver Europe's biggest prize, but that all changed in 2025 as the Parisians finally got their hands on the famous trophy. 

Led by boss Luis Enrique, his young, talented and attacking side swept everyone away in the competition - including Arsenal and Liverpool - before a showdown with Inter in the final. 

In Munich, the French champions were simply unstoppable, thrashing the Nerazzurri 5-0 in one of the most one-sided Champions League finals of all time. 

PSG's time had finally arrived, so can anyone stop them in 2026? 

EFE

Harry finally lifts some bling 

Harry Kane has broken all kinds of goalscoring records, both in the Premier League and since joining Bayern Munich, but the one thing that has always been aimed at the striker is his lack of winning major trophies - with some even calling it a curse! 

Well, consider the curse broken because in 2025, Kane finally lifted silverware has he led Bayern to the Bundesliga title and a first medal for the England skipper. 

Over the course of the campaign, Kane plundered in 41 goals in all competitions and already he and his team look like repeating the trick in 2026 and he can finally be looked at as the world class footballer he has always been. 

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Conte rules Naples 

Antonio Conte's reputation as title winner continued as he led Napoli to the Serie A title - a second win for the Naples club in three seasons. 

Having already won titles with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter in his managerial career, he made it a sixth championship win in 2025 with his Napoli triumph. 

Romelu Lukaku scored 14 goals and Scott McTominay was the league's hero as Napoli saw off Conte's old club Inter to win their fourth Scudetto. 

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Perfect England 

2025 saw a changing of the guard for England as Gareth Southgate ended his successful reign as boss and was replaced by Thomas Tuchel with one aim in mind - to win the World Cup. 

Tuchel has been a serial winner so far in his managerial career and the FA made him their hired gun for next summer's festivities, where England head to North America as one of the favourites. 

The German has overseen a perfect qualifying campaign from the Three Lions, where they became the first European team to win all eight of their matches without conceding a single goal. 

With an array of attacking options that is the envy of Europe and a ruthlessness about the way Tuchel has handled his first twelve months in charge, 2026 has all the makings of a memorable year for England. 

Dare we say it's coming home? 

CameraSport via Getty Images

Scotland are back 

Not since 1998 have Scotland been part of a World Cup party, but that will all in change in 2026, as Steve Clarke's men dramatically booked their place at the tournament. 

It all came down to the final qualifier at Hampden as the Scots took on Denmark in a winner-takes-all game for automatic qualification. 

Scott McTominay (who else?) set the tone with an audacious bicycle-kick in the opening period, before a roller-coaster of a game saw the Danes take control and then the hosts finally prevail. 

Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean netted in stoppage time to send the Tartan Army into delirium and on their way to North America in 2026. 

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Vardy's party continues in Italy 

Of all the transfer deals in 2025, perhaps the most surprising was the latest chapter in Jamie Vardy's incredible career. 

With Leicester relegated at the end of the season, Vardy called time on his legendary Foxes career, with many expecting the striker to move to the MLS or Scotland. 

Instead, the former England striker rocked up at newly promoted Cremonese in Serie A, much to the surprise of everyone but the forward himself. 

And, after a slow start, Vardy has embraced his new surroundings with four goals in his first eleven games and became the first-ever English player to win Serie A's Player of the Month award for his performances across November. 

The latest Jamie Vardy party is very much taking over Cremona. 

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