Football Guides

Our guides explain football in plain language. Browse our explainers on the rules, tactics, competitions and technology that shape the modern game, all written originally by the Alkora team.

All guides

• How to Follow the World Cup on Alkora — A practical guide to following every World Cup match on Alkora — from the group stage to the final, with live scores, lineups and standings.
• Football Rules Explained: A Beginner's Guide — New to football? This clear, beginner-friendly guide explains the core rules of the game: how it is played, scoring, offside, fouls and cards.
• How League Standings Work — Learn how to read a football league table: points, goal difference, form, and the tiebreakers that decide who finishes top.
• Understanding Match Statistics — Possession, shots on target, corners and more — learn what football match stats really tell you about a game.
• Football Glossary: Key Terms Explained — A handy glossary of common football terms — from clean sheet and hat-trick to derby and stoppage time.
• Frequently Asked Questions — Answers to common questions about Alkora — live scores, supported leagues, languages, accuracy and the mobile app.
• The Expanded 48-Team World Cup 2026, Explained — Everything that is new about the 48-team World Cup 2026: the 12 groups, the brand-new round of 32, how teams reach the knockouts, and the three countries hosting it all.
• World Cup 2026 Host Cities and How to Follow It from the Arab World — A look at the 16 World Cup 2026 host cities across North America, and a practical guide to keeping up with every match from the Middle East and North Africa despite the time difference.
• The Latest Football Rule Changes, Explained — Football's lawmakers have refreshed the Laws of the Game, including a new eight-second goalkeeper rule. Here is what changed and what it means for the matches you watch, in plain language.
• How VAR Works in Football — The Video Assistant Referee can change the biggest moments in a match. Here is what VAR is, the four decisions it can review, and why some checks take so long.
• Every New Rule at the 2026 World Cup, Explained in Depth — The 2026 World Cup is the first to be played under a fresh set of laws. From the eight-second goalkeeper rule to the captain-only crackdown on dissent and mandatory cooling breaks, here is a deep look at every change and what it means on the pitch.
• The Technology Behind the 2026 World Cup, Explained in Depth — Upgraded semi-automated offside, referee body cameras and a smarter VAR are changing how the 2026 World Cup is officiated. Here is a deep, plain-language look at the technology deciding the biggest moments.