PERSPECTIVES
During the Africa Nations Championship, iAko Randrianarivelo captured how Madagascar rediscovered its pride through football. From the historic 2019 AFCON run to reaching the CHAN final in 2025, the Barea’s success has ignited joy across the country, uniting communities long divided by political and social tensions. What began as rare hope has transformed into a collective belief: the future belongs to Malagasy football.
From Tufts University to the Solomon Islands, Ben Katz, a medical student, has carried football alongside his research in global health. Between documenting the stories of diabetic amputees in remote villages and stumbling into an inter-island tournament, his lens captured both resilience and joy. The project is a reminder of how football travels with us, connecting people across distance and circumstance.Portuguesa, one of São Paulo’s most storied clubs, has lived through triumphs and turmoil at its iconic Canindé Stadium. Once a symbol of glory and community pride, the club’s fortunes shifted after a controversial relegation in 2013, sparking decline and financial chaos. Now, with a stadium renovation planned for 2026 and a new SAF ownership model in place, Portuguesa stands at a crossroads—between preserving its heritage and building a sustainable future.Andrea Vílchez reveals how her dual passions for football and photography began with her mother’s DSLR and blossomed into a unique visual storytelling practice. While covering WAFCON, Andrea captured deeply human moments—quiet moments of connection, warmth, and emotion—highlighting her ability to find intimacy in the midst of global spectacle.
Akis Katsoudas captures the spirit of Wales’ first-ever Women’s Euro appearance, where even a heavy 6–1 defeat to England couldn’t dampen the celebrations. The stands in St. Gallen rang with songs, flags, and pride, showing that for these supporters, participation alone was a milestone worth honoring. It was a reminder that in football, joy can live well beyond the scoreline.While driving to a match between Nigeria and Tunisia, the Football Case Study team, based in Casablanca for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, stumbled upon a youth girls club that is redefining the ways young women approach football in the region. By finding inspiration through the Moroccan women’s national team and recieving support from their families, the young footballers see no limit in their future.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
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.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. The 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations arrives in Morocco at a defining moment for the women’s game on the continent. From its colonial-era roots and decades of resistance to the present surge in investment and visibility, WAFCON reflects both the progress made and the structural challenges still to overcome. Football Case Study will be on the ground throughout the tournament, documenting its players, cultures, and stakes with the depth this historic moment deserves.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.
Join the Football Case Study community and explore the diverse cultures that make football beautiful. Get exclusive access to in-depth stories, stunning photography, and cutting-edge research that drives football culture forward. Sign up to stay connected with our global family of photographers, journalists, and fans.
PHOTO ESSAYS
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Shooting for Football Case Study and select clients, our members have been in the field this summer documenting the patrons and fans of clubs from around the globe at the FIFA Club World Cup.
While in Mexico for the Liga MX finals between Deportivo Toluca F.C. and Club América, Houston-based photographer Max Hummels documented how the city of Toluca came to life as its club secured its first trophy in over a decade.Born in the winding alleys and open squares, Medina FM is a collection of songs that followed us through Morocco. Some we found in the hum of cafés, others drifted from passing cars, and a few came from our own late-night conversations.
Listen to the companion playlist as you flip through Observations, our first fine art photobook. It opens with high-energy breakbeats and eases into an ambient blend of global sounds—crafted to deepen the viewing experience.
ABOUT
AboutMembersImage LicensingNewsletterThink TankCommissions
football case study is an editorial and research platform dedicated to showcasing the diverse cultures that make our game beautiful.
We are a global family of photographers, journalists, storytellers, researchers, and fans who see things differently.
LOS ANGELES
NEW YORK
SAO PAŨLO
CASABLANCA
GAZA
KYOTO