SOCCER MAJOR WORLD EVENTS

FIFA World Cup:	This is the biggest and most prestigious soccer event in the world. Teams from nearly every country will compete for the opportunity to participate and win the FIFA World Cup. The last team left standing is considered the worlds best soccer team. The last World Cup was held from June-July 2014 in Brazil. The next world cup is being held in 2018 in Russia.
FIFA Confederation Cup:	Though not as prestigious as the World Cup, it is also a major tournament. It is held every four years and in the year prior to the World Cup. This is a tournament for national teams. In total Eight teams compete. 2013 was the previous year for this competition. The next FIFA Confederation cup is held in 2017.
Olympic Games:	The Olympics, which occur every four years is another popular soccer show case. The best teams in the world compete for a chance to be the Olympic champion. The next Olympic Games take place this year from the 3rd-20th August 2016 in Brazil.

Major Soccer Events in 2016

JANUARY 2016

The Summer (northern hemisphere) transfer window re-opened on 1st January and will close again on the 31st January 2016.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala Awards night happens in Zurich on January 11th, 2016.

2016 African Cup of Nations Championship - CHAN - 2016 (formerly AFCON)
CHAN - kicks off on 16 January until the 7 February 2016 in Rwanda. Sixteen African nations compete in this three week tournament. Ivory Coast are the defending champions.

Euro Leagues Second Half begins

The second half of the major leagues in Europe begins. The German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Italian Series A and Spanish Primera Liga enter their second stage in January.

The semi-final matches of the Capital One Cup are played in England.

FEBRUARY 2016

The African Cup of Nations 2016 final is played on the 7th Feburary 2016.

The prestigious UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League in Serbia from the 2nd -13th February 2016.

The League Cup Final - Capital One Cup is played at the Wembley Stadium in London on the 28th February 2016. The final this year is between Liverpool and Manchester City.

The first round of matches in the CAF Champions League season are played.

MARCH 2016

The CAF confederation cup begins. Etoile du Sahel are the defending champions. The winnner of this cup will earn the right to play in the 2017 CAF Super Cup.

APRIL 2016

The UEFA Champions League reaches its semi-final stage.

Some champions of the Euro Leagues will have been determined by April.

The Spanish Primera Liga and Bundesliga champions will be known by now.

MAY 2016

The English FA Cup final happens on the 21st May 2016 and several other cup competitions are played across Europe.

The Europa League final will be played on the 18th May 2016 in St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. The defending champions being Sevilla.

The UEFA Champions Leauge final is played on the 28th May 2016 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy.

JUNE 2016

The Transfer window opens on June 1^st, 2016.

The UEFA Euro 2016 kicks off on the 10th June in France.

From the 3rd - 26th June 2016 - the Copa America Cup takes place in the USA.

The Copa America Cup final takes place on the 26th June 2016.

JULY 2016

The UEFA Euro final takes place on the 10th July 2016 at Stade de France. Spain are the defending champions.

Several players will switch clubs around the world during this month.

AUGUST 2016

The Olympic Games 2016 football tournaments begin on the 3rd August 2016 and will conclude on the 20th August 2016. The Olympic Games are taking place in Brazil, South America.

The new 2016-2017 English Premier League season begins on Sunday the 6th August and will conclude on Sunday the 21st May 2017. It will be the 25th season. The world’s most glamorous league has produced finalists in the Champions League in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013. Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea each won a trophy over these periods.

The Scottish Premier League resumes.

SEPTEMBER 2016

The UEFA Champions League group phase starts.

The 2015-2016 leagues in Spain, Germany, France and Italy all began in September 2015.

The 2015–16 UEFA Champions League final - this is the 61st season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 24th season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. The final will be played at San Siro, Milan, Italy on the 28th May 2016.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia takes place starting on the 10th September in Colombia.

OCTOBER 2016

The 1st of October heralds the final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia.

FIFA U-17 Womens World Cup Jordan takes place in Jordan from the 31st September with the final taking place on the 21st October 2016.

NOVEMBER 2016

The FIFA U-20 Womens World Cup 2016 takes place in Papua New Guinea starting on the 13th November in Papua New Guinea.

DECEMBER 2016

The FIFA U-20 Womens World Cup final takes place on the 3rd December 2016 in Papua New Guinea