What could be the biggest football stories of 2024?

The 2024 football calendar promises to be filled with excitement, surprises, and significant moments. Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await stories from the sport's most popular game. As we enter the new year, they want to hear the drama on and off the pitch, takeovers and transfers to new competitions and league challengers.

Once again, international football dominates the calendar. It has been one year since Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022. The country again steps onto the global stage as hosts of the 2022 Asian Cup. The host nation has dealt with a last-minute managerial change. Marquez Lopez replaced Carlos Queiroz in December, but the Maroons will compete with confidence, having won the title back in 2019

Middle East football expert Mena Aalhy expects the hosts to go far again, as they've recruited many younger players who are pumping new blood into the team.

"They did an amazing job with hosting the World Cup. Their fans showed up for the team in a really amazing way every single time. So I think it's going to be a great experience for the team and the fans. As a team, we've seen them win in 2019. They were absolutely incredible. It was a great competition for them. They're at the right rhythm and have the right energy, and I am really looking forward to seeing how they will handle the competition.

Over in Africa, the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at the same time. The tournament, which follows a format similar to the Asian Cup, will take place on the Ivory Coast. The West African nation has waited an extra three years to host AFCON and was initially awarded the competition in 2021. The league is set to expand from eight to 24 teams in the upcoming season. Matches will be held nationwide in 2024 in