Soccer History

**Narrated by the author!** Roger Bennett is bringing his skills as one of the best soccer commentators in the world to the audio edition of his best-selling book WE ARE THE WORLD (CUP). Experience Bennett’s intimate story of how soccer has shaped him and the world, direct from the man who...

The classic history of soccer tactics— “masterful” and “deliciously nerdy” (Time Out) In this modern classic, soccer journalist Jonathan Wilson pulls apart the finer details of the world’s game, tracing the global history of tactics from modern pioneers right back to the beginning...

No one knew it when their experiment began, but without any particular genius or acumen, the motley cast of billionaires and hucksters behind the modern Premier League struck gold. Pretty soon, everyone wanted to try their luck, from Russian oligarchs to Emirati sheikhs, American tycoons, and Asian Tiger titans. Some succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Some lost everything. Today, players are sold for tens of millions, clubs are valued in the billions, and games are beamed out to nearly 200 countries, all while the league struggles to preserve its English soul.

In this extraordinary tour de force, David Goldblatt tells the full story of soccer's rise from chaotic folk ritual to the world's most popular sport - now poised to fully establish itself in the USA. Already celebrated internationally, The Ball Is Round illuminates soccer's role in the political and social histories of modern societies, but never loses sight of the beauty, joy, and excitement of the game itself. 

The gripping account of the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026 For almost half a century, the U.S. men’s national team existed on the fringes of world soccer—out of sight, out of mind...

For sports fans and history buffs alike and just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this accessible guide to the evolution of soccer—from ancient traditions to sold-out stadiums—shows just how much influence on politics, economics, and popular culture one sport can have In 2026, the FIFA...

A definitive new history of the world’s most watched sporting event—just in time for the 2026 tournament​ "Wilson is the game’s pre-eminent popular historian."—Observer (UK) An Irish Times Best Sports Book of the Year Since 1930, the World Cup has become a truly global obsession. It is...

The Modern Creation Story American Soccer Didn't Know It Had By the late 1980s, U.S. soccer had solidified its reputation as a global laughingstock, a sporting oxymoron akin to Jamaican bobsledding: • Starting in 1950, the richest, most powerful nation on Earth had gone 0 for 9 trying to qualify for the World Cup. • Once the North American Soccer League petered out, U.S. sporting culture proved unable/unwilling to replace it. • Soccer on TV? Post-1984, only the odd indoor match might be found there — late at night, on content-starved cable outlets, after competitive lumberjacking. ...

Are you looking for the perfect book for the young soccer fan in your life? Are you seeking an engaging book of stories that will have your child feeling inspired and wanting to read more? Do you want to teach a young soccer fan about all of the legends of the past so that they can appreciate what their forefathers have done for the sport? Do you need a gift for a kid who’s crazy about soccer? Do you have a son, grandson, niece, or nephew who plays soccer, watches soccer, or wants to learn more about the sport? This book is a collection of some of the greatest and most inspiring stories ...

A global soccer star’s epic ride to the 1950 World Cup places him in shooting distance of his dreams and his own death. This program is read by actor Jamie Hector, who played Marlo Stanfield in the HBO series The Wire. Gilbert Chevalier’s life is a mid-century miracle: wealthy, handsome...

⭐ 2026 Updated & Illustrated Edition – A Football Story About Integrity, Teamwork & True Leadership ⭐ 🏈 One Team. One Dream. One Season That Will Test Every Ounce Of Courage 🏈 🔥 A High-Stakes Football Story Packed With Action, Strategy & The Toughest Choice A Young Athlete Can Make 🔥 🎯 Perfect For Readers Ages 8–12 Who Love Sports, Strategy & Underdog Heroes 🎯 Are You Ready To Step Onto The Gridiron… And Into A Moral Dilemma Bigger Than The Game? 💥 Dexter Carter Is Used To Being Invisible—QB2, The Kid Who Studies Coverages Like Puzzles And Notices Every “...

A captivating chronicle of the pivotal decade in American sports, when the games invaded prime time, and sports moved from the margins to the mainstream of American culture. “Indispensable history.” —Sally Jenkins, bestselling author of The Right Call Every decade brings change, but as...

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them. This famous quote, by William Shakespeare, reveals the mindset of strong achievers. But how does this apply to the all time soccer greats? ⭐️ 1st BONUS: SOCCER TRACKER AND TRAINING SHEET ⭐️ 2nd BONUS: MESSI VS RONALDO PRINTABLE INFOGRAPHIC SHEET ⭐️ 3rd BONUS: MENTAL TOUGHNESS GUIDE TO THINK LIKE THE GREATS ⭐️ 4th BONUS: QUIZ ABOUT THE GREATS Are they born great? Do they come with magical powers? Superior coaching? Crazy life experiences? To answer this question, we looked at the life ...

Are you looking for the perfect book for the young sports fan in your life? Are you seeking an engaging book of stories that will have your child wanting to read more? Do you want to teach a young sports fan about all of the legends of the past so that they can appreciate what their forefathers have done for the sport? Do you need a gift for a kid who’s crazy about baseball, soccer, basketball, football, tennis, or another sport? Do you have a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew who plays sports or wants to learn more about them? This is the perfect book for any young sports fan. It’s a...

In 2008, Dave Bidini accompanies Homeless Team Canada to the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne, Australia. Home and Away offers a powerful look at the poor and dispossessed, from the barrios of Mexico City and the shanties of West Africa, to the streets of North America and Europe, and illuminates the renewed meaning that these homeless players find in the beautiful game.

Arsenal Football Club is more than a name — it is a tradition, a passion, and a story that stretches across generations. From its humble beginnings in Woolwich in 1886, formed by a group of munitions workers, Arsenal grew into one of the most iconic football clubs in the world.

Book One of the Lost Giants Series They helped launch the greatest league in the world—then vanished from its top tier. In this gripping first volume of the Lost Giants series, we revisit the clubs that were part of the Premier League’s historic 1992–93 inaugural season but are no longer among England’s elite. Once fixtures in Match of the Day highlights and cup upsets, these clubs now fight for recognition in lower divisions, far from the limelight they once basked in. Through detailed storytelling and sharp analysis, Lost Giants: The Original Premier League Clubs explores the rise...

'Jaw-dropping revelations . . . The incredible story of [Man United] laid bare in new book' – Daily Mail 'A gripping tale, full of insight. Blackhurst is an enormously talented writer' – City A.M. From Chris Blackhurst, the former Editor of the Independent, comes The World's Biggest Cash...

READ BY ACTOR GEORGE NEWBERN NATIONAL BESTSELLER “Franklin Foer’s dark and witty tale of the soccer world reveals the meaning of globalization in all its joys and horrors.”—Robert Kagan Now available in audio, just in time for the 2026 World Cup in North America, the bestselling sports...

In a world saturated with books about how to coach soccer, Dan Blank finally gives players a book on how to think it. Standing on two decades of collegiate coaching experience, Blank has cataloged soccer’s most common mistakes and provides simple, connect-the-dots solutions to help players solve their soccer problems. Soccer IQ is soccer’s first textbook for players; an almanac of smarter soccer decisions intended to flatten out the learning curve. It covers everything from hunting rebounds to the value of the toe-ball; from playing in the rain to the world’s dumbest foul.