Every football fan has their favourite club, and by that logic, they likely have a least favourite club, as Football League World asks AI what the most universally despised teams in the EFL are right now.

Every football fan will have a club they dislike the most, whether that be their local rival, a historical rival, they don't like the way they play, they don't like the way they operate as a club, or a myriad of other weird and wonderful reasons.

Without rivalries, football very quickly becomes dull, as some clubs embrace their reputation for being more disliked than most.

Depending on who you ask, their most disliked club will likely vary, though some teams will come up more than others, as Football League World has asked AI to name the 15 most hated clubs in the EFL right now and provide a reason.

Ranking goes from least to most hated and is purely AI's standpoint.

15 Wrexham

AI says: Celebrity ownership, spending and disproportionate media attention have created resentment among some neutral fans.

Wrexham kick off this list, and their meteoric rise through the EFL has proven to be unpopular with clubs throughout all the divisions.

Backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, their journey from the National League to the Championship in just a matter of years has been closely documented, with the Welsh outfit turning into something of a product as a result.

Whether it's down to jealousy or a complete misalignment in views of how a football club should be run, Wrexham's financial superiority has allowed them to steamroll through the divisions and compete for Premier League football, which, of course, has proven to be unpopular with many.

14 Birmingham City

AI says: Ambitious ownership and financial backing can frustrate rival supporters, although most hostility is regional.

Promoted back to the Championship in the same season as Wrexham, Birmingham City are, historically and by almost every metric, a 'bigger' club than Wrexham, but again, their superior financial backing has frustrated a myriad of supporters around the EFL.

Taking their name from England's Second City, Birmingham are surrounded by rivalries with the likes of Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and whilst they haven't quite been on par with any one of those across the past decade, they remain an extremely noisy neighbour, and a wealthy one at that.

13 Wolverhampton Wanderers

AI says: Their recent Premier League status, resources and expectations could make them unpopular opponents in the EFL.

From one Midlands side to another, Wolves are, by AI's account, one of the most disliked teams in the EFL right now, and a large portion of that is probably down to their historical success.

One of the 12 founding members of the EFL, Wolves have won 13 major domestic trophies in their history, including three top-flight titles and four FA Cups.

The Portuguese connection spearheaded by super agent Jorge Mendes likely hasn't done their reputation many favours, either, as the Old Gold take their spot on this list.

12 Burnley

AI says: Parachute payments, repeated promotion campaigns and a pragmatic style can attract criticism from rival fans.

The last three times Burnley have been in the Championship before this campaign, they have been promoted each time, one under Sean Dyche, one under Vincent Kompany, and one under Scott Parker.

Whilst Nicky Hayen doesn't look at all likely to follow suit this year, the Clarets remain one of the biggest clubs in the EFL right now despite hailing from a relatively small town, and their recent success within the Football League has made them widely disliked by many.

11 West Ham United

AI says: Ownership controversies and the move to the London Stadium have generated criticism beyond their own supporters.

West Ham United, until this campaign, have been Premier League regulars ever since its inception in 1992, and though they are not historically one of the most successful clubs in London, the Hammers boast a fanbase that ought to be revered.

Their historic rivalry with Millwall certainly makes the East London outfit unpopular that side of the Thames, and undoubtedly the biggest club in the EFL right now, their stadium, financial power, and squad are envied by almost every other club in the 72, and naturally, with envy comes hate.

10 West Bromwich Albion

AI says: They have featured in survey coverage of disliked clubs outside the Premier League, although their national reputation is mixed.

Another Midlands club, West Brom have spent the bulk of their history bouncing between the first and second divisions, and aside from last season, have rarely ever dipped beneath the bottom half of the Championship.

One of the 12 founding members of the EFL, the Baggies are the 15th most successful club in English football history, with one top-flight title and five FA Cups to boast.

Like Wolves, their historical success and recent Premier League stability are a large part of why they are so envied and disliked by many.

9 Cardiff City

AI says: Vincent Tan's controversial rebranding, including changing the club's traditional colours, damaged their reputation among traditionalists.

A staple of the Championship, no side has played more games since the second tier's reformat in 2004 than Cardiff City, and they have been an almost constant nuisance to their English counterparts over that period.

Their decision to adopt a red strip and badge under Vincent Tan went down like a lead balloon amongst supporters of the Bluebirds and beyond, and the way they have been run under the Malaysian businessman has proven to be widely unpopular with many, with their reputation taking a hit as a result.

8 Sheffield Wednesday

AI says: Ownership disputes and financial turmoil have generated widespread criticism, though many neutrals sympathise with the supporters.

Moving up to Yorkshire now as Sheffield Wednesday earn their spot on this list.

The Owls are widely unpopular with many across England's largest county, no more than with city rivals Sheffield United, though the likes of Leeds United, Barnsley, and Bradford City aren't exactly fans of them either.

Their success in the early days of their history is still lauded over their local rivals to this day, and though they have spent the majority of the past couple of decades bouncing between the second and third tier, they remain wholly unpopular with many, not just in Yorkshire, but beyond.

7 Watford

AI says: Frequent managerial changes and an impatient approach to recruitment have frustrated supporters beyond their immediate rivals.

Watford's inclusion on this list is almost certainly down to the frequency with which the Hornets chop and change managers at will under the Pozzo ownership.

Current boss Alessio Dionisi is the 24th manager/head coach to have been appointed under the Italian ownership since 2012, and having started the 2026/27 season abysmally, they have grown increasingly unpopular with their own supporters.

Bouncing between the Premier League and Championship for much of the last decade or so, Watford could well find themselves in League One next year if they are not careful, as this ownership grows ever more unpopular.

6 Salford City

AI says: Their celebrity-backed rise has prompted criticism from traditionalists who see the club as a manufactured project.

Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes first got involved with Salford City back in 2014, and immediately changed the club's colours from orange to red, viewed as a homage to their obvious Manchester United connection.

Since then, Salford have become a regular in the EFL, but despite numerous close attempts and heavy financial backing, have never been able to get beyond League Two.

Having spent the bulk of their history in non-league, Salford are viewed by many as nothing more than a manufactured project, and until they can expand off the pitch, will forever be perceived that way.