A Guide to International Football Leagues: Formats and Competitions

Football, or soccer, is a sport that brings together people from all corners of the world. One of the reasons why football is so captivating is the international competitions that take place annually, where the best teams from different countries battle it out to be crowned champions. This is just a quick guide we've written for new football fans (as part of our Football Education series) where we will explore some of the most prestigious international football leagues.

(Also related: How do you explain football to a new fan?)

UEFA Champions League:

The Champions League is the most prestigious international club competition in Europe. It is organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and features the top teams from the major European leagues, such as the English Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga. The competition features a group stage, followed by a knockout stage, where the remaining teams compete in a two-legged knockout tie. The winners of the knockout stage go on to the final, where the ultimate champions are crowned.

UEFA Europa League:

The Europa League is the second-tier international club competition in Europe, also organised by UEFA. It features teams from smaller European leagues, who were not able to qualify for the Champions League. The competition also features a group stage and knockout stage, with the winners of the knockout stage going on to the final to compete for the championship.

Copa Libertadores:

The Copa Libertadores is the premier international club competition in South America. It is organised by the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL) and features teams from the major South American leagues, such as the Argentine Primera División and the Brazilian Serie A. The competition features a group stage and knockout stage, with the winners of the knockout stage going on to the final to compete for the championship.

CAF Champions League:

The CAF Champions League is the premier international club competition in Africa. It is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and features teams from the major African leagues, such as the Egyptian Premier League and the Nigerian Professional Football League. The competition also features a group stage and knockout stage, with the winners of the knockout stage going on to the final to compete for the championship.

AFC Champions League:

The AFC Champions League is the premier international club competition in Asia. It is organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and features teams from the major Asian leagues, such as the Chinese Super League and the Japanese J1 League. The competition features a group stage and knockout stage, with the winners of the knockout stage going on to the final to compete for the championship.

CONCACAF Champions League:

The CONCACAF Champions League is the premier international club competition in North, Central, and Caribbean America. It is organised by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and features teams from the major leagues of the region such as the Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. The competition also features a group stage and knockout stage, with the winners of the knockout stage going on to the final to compete for the championship.

These international leagues take place annually, and teams from different countries play against each other in a variety of competitions. Each league has its own unique format, with the Champions League and Europa League both having a group stage and knockout stage, while the Copa Libertadores, CAF Champions League, AFC Champions League, and CONCACAF Champions League have a similar format. These leagues are considered to be the most competitive international leagues around the world and are viewed by fans and analysts as the most challenging and competitive tournaments in club football.

Other international leagues worth mentioning include:

• OFC Champions League: The OFC Champions League is the premier international club competition in Oceania. It is organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and features teams from the major Oceanian leagues, such as the New Zealand Football Championship and the Solomon Islands S-League.
• Arab Club Champions Cup: The Arab Club Champions Cup is an annual football competition organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) and features teams from the Arab world.
• Suruga Bank Championship: The Suruga Bank Championship is an annual football competition organised by the Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Conmebol. It features the winners of the J. League Cup and the Copa Sudamericana.
• Recopa Sudamericana: The Recopa Sudamericana is an annual football competition organised by Conmebol and features the winners of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.
• FIFA Club World Cup: The FIFA Club World Cup is an annual football competition organised by FIFA and features the top club teams from each of the six continental confederations, as well as the domestic league champions of the host country.
• Superliga Americana de Fútbol: The Superliga Americana de Fútbol is a recently launched football league featuring teams from South America and Mexico. It aims to provide a new level of competition for club football in the region.
• ASEAN Football Federation Club Championship: The ASEAN Football Federation Club Championship is an annual football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and features teams from Southeast Asia.
• Arab Cup Winners' Cup: The Arab Cup Winners' Cup was an annual football competition organised by UAFA and featured the winners of the domestic cup competitions from each Arab country.

These leagues also have their own unique formats and are considered to be some of the most competitive international football tournaments in their respective regions.