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Dispatch: a series dedicated to immersive storytelling, where our photographers and writers journey to chosen places, combining evocative imagery with long-form editorials to uncover and share unique football cultures.





10

THE FIGURES BEYOND THE PITCH

While the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations fields are graced by elite athletes representing their nation, beside them stand local and international photographers, journalists, dancers and ball girls inspired by the women’s athletic perseverance, excellence and dedication to their homelands. As the tournament progresses, Writer Fay Harvey spoke with the key figures that strengthen the tournament’s goal of making the continent the home of football.

Read moreDate: July 2025
FCS-ID: D10/FH30725—212
Fay Harvey

09 

BRAZILIAN FANS REASSERT FOOTBALL’S FORGOTTEN POWER

Throughout the Club World Cup, Marvin Heilbronn attended matches of Palmeiras and Fluminense, where he experienced the strength and fervor of the Brazilian clubs’ support and witnessed the prominence of Brazilian football reignite on the international stage. Fans from around the world united for these games; games that offered something deeper than football: a connection to home and to family. 

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Date: July 2025
FCS-ID: D09/MH30725—1
Marvin Heilbronn


08

COMMUNAL OVENS AND SHARED SPACES: THE POWER OF ACCESSIBILITY AT WAFCON


In Morocco, communal ovens known as furans serve as more than just places to bake—they are social spaces that nourish both body and community. From low-cost tickets and free transportation to women attending their first-ever matches, the tournament embraced inclusion across generations. Whether in a Casablanca bakery or Rabat stadium, these public spaces demonstrated how openness, generosity, and cultural values can elevate women’s football and strengthen community ties through shared experience.

Read moreDate: July 2025
FCS-ID: D08/FH20725—212
Fay Harvey

07

AS A NEW CLUB CLOSES IN, SAN FRANCISCO CITY FC FIGHTS FOR PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY


Kezar Stadium in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has recently been made the grounds for a dispute between USL League Two team San Francisco City FC and Golden City FC, an in-development MLS NEXT Pro team being backed by the Mayor, the city and tech investors. As the new club makes its way into town and treads on SF City’s home stadium, Fay Harvey shines a light on how the community feels and what can be learned from clubs of the past.

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Date: June 2025
FCS-ID: D07/FH10525—1
Fay Harvey

06

UNDER THE RELENTLESS SUN


While Brazil is often celebrated for its footballing legends and global success, a quieter, more enduring story lives on beyond the bright lights. In this piece, photographer and writer Gabriel Borelli journeys into the overlooked corners of São Paulo’s football landscape, where lower-division clubs carry the weight of memory, identity, and local pride.

Read moreDate: April 2025
FCS-ID: D06/GB10425—55
Gabriel Borelli

05

FAITH AND FOOTBALL


Faith and football intersect across continents in Faith and Football: Ramadan Reflections from the World’s Game. Written by Ili Hyseni de Brissac, this piece explores how Muslim footballers balance the demands of the game with their spiritual devotion during Ramadan. Through stories from the UK, the US, and Qatar, it captures how faith quietly fuels dedication, shapes ambition, and strengthens the bond between players and their communities.

Read moreDate: March 2025
FCS-ID: D05/IHdB20325—1
Ili Hyseni de Brissac


04

A LEAGUE WITHOUT LADDERS


In a country where football culture often feels constrained by closed-league structures, Orange County SC stands as both an example of potential and a symbol of limitation. In A League Without Ladders, Marvin Heilbronn explores how the lack of promotion and relegation in the U.S. soccer system stifles club growth and fan engagement. 

Read moreDate: March 2025
FCS-ID: D04/MH10425—1
Marvin Heilbronn

03

BUILDING TRADITIONS WITH COMO WOMEN


When Mercury/13 took over FC Como in March 2024, they set out to reshape the very idea of a women’s football club in Italy. Under the leadership of Victoire Cogevina Reynal, the independent team—free from the shadow of any men’s side—has embraced a bold, entrepreneurial spirit, carving its own path with innovative partnerships, player-focused initiatives, and a fresh narrative that challenges the old norms of the sport. 

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Date: January 2025
FCS-ID: D03/IHdB20125—39
Ili Hyseni de Brissac

02

IN THE PALISADES, FOOTBALL OFFERS A WAY THROUGH THE TRAUMA


Ili Hyseni delves into how football provides solace and strength for Los Angeles communities grappling with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. In Pacific Palisades, Mele French and the L.A. Bulls unite families through grassroots football, offering a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. 

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Date: January 2025
FCS-ID: D02/IHdB10125—1
Ili Hyseni de Brissac

01

NO VAR LAND 

 
Akis Katsoudas explores Swedish football culture, where fans passionately oppose VAR to preserve the game’s raw emotion. Through democratic ownership, supporters work to keep football grounded in tradition, resisting the push for technological change. This portrayal captures the vibrant atmosphere, from pre-match gatherings to the electrifying energy within stadiums.

Read moreDate: September 2024
FCS-ID: D01/AK10924—46
Akis Katsoudas
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