Soccer History

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. 

Updated 2026 World Cup Edition In this modern classic, a leading sportswriter and an acclaimed sports economist apply high-powered analytical tools to everyday soccer topics “Soccernomics is the most intelligent book ever written about soccer.” ―San Francisco Chronicle Why do clubs almost...

Fully revised and updated, this beloved classic explores the history of soccer tactics, with fresh insights for fans, captains, and coaches worldwide. In this modern classic, soccer journalist Jonathan Wilson pulls apart the finer details of the world’s game, tracing the global history of...

**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...

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...

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.

A whirlwind history of soccer's improbable rise―from ancient traditions to worldwide cultural focus How did a simple kicking game conquer the world? In this concise yet comprehensive history, sports historian Brian D. Bunk traces soccer's unlikely, meteoric rise, showing how a pastime humbly...

For nearly a century, the FIFA World Cup has captivated billions of fans, produced unforgettable moments, and transformed football into the world's most popular sport. From the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930 to the historic 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this comprehensive volume tells the complete story of football's greatest competition. The Complete History of the World Cup takes readers on a thrilling journey through every tournament, every champion, and every legendary player who helped shape the sport's most prestigious event. Relive Uruguay's...

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. ...

Looking for the Perfect World Cup Gift Your Young Soccer Fan Will Read Cover to Cover? Want your child or teen to soak up grit, perseverance, and the never give up spirit of soccer's greatest legends while having a blast on every page? This book brings the biggest tournament on Earth to life through unforgettable stories, jaw-dropping facts, and brain-game fun. A sock for a ball. A boy too small for any team. The Goal of the Century. A hat trick in a World Cup final. World Cup legends, the wildest records, the impossible upsets, the weirdest moments —and the biggest party on Earth. in one...

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...

⚽ Are You Ready to Kick Off an Amazing Adventure into the World Cup? 100 Fun Facts About the World Cup takes you on an unforgettable journey through the history, heroes, records, goals, and incredible moments that have made the FIFA World Cup the most exciting soccer tournament on Earth! From legendary champions and unforgettable goals to record-breaking players and thrilling upsets, this action-packed book is filled with fascinating discoveries that will amaze soccer fans of all ages. Whether you're a young athlete, a curious reader, or a lifelong football fan, this exciting collection ...

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.

Want to learn about one of soccer history’s greatest clubs? Want a concise book with Key moments, notable Players and Managers? Don’t want to wade through pages and pages of boring detail? This is the book for you! This book chronicles the club's remarkable ascent to soccer stardom, capturing the trials, triumphs, and iconic moments that define their illustrious history, including: Birth of the club Significant periods in its history, broken into six easy reading chapters Historical challenges and achievements Owners, Managers and Players who served the club Fast Facts on club records, ...

Pünktlich zum 125. Jubiläum des Hauptstadtklubs ist endlich der richtige Zeitpunkt für ein besonderes Projekt gekommen. Mit vielen exklusiven Interviews, Reportagen, Musiktiteln und O-Tönen bietet das erste und einzige Hörbuch von Hertha BSC mit 150 Minuten Spielzeit spannende und informative Unterhaltung für jeden eingefleischten Fan und jeden sportinteressierten Zuhörer. Die Texte für das Hörbuch stammen aus der Feder von Michael Jahn.

"Jaime Hector's narration is brilliant. His Haitian French accents are consistent, and his lilting, singsong voices bring the story to life." — Kirkus (Earphones Award Winner) A global soccer star’s epic ride to the 1950 World Cup places him in shooting distance of his dreams and his own...

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...

In a tiny, decaying aluminum smelting town in southern Tajikistan, a short drive from a raging war zone, Afghanistan take on Palestine in the first Asian qualifier for 2014's World Cup in Brazil. Every player on both teams is risking something by playing: Their careers, their families, even their lives. Thirty-One Nil is the story of how footballers from all corners of the globe begin their journey chasing a place at the World Cup Finals.

⭐ 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 “...

“Engrossing, insightful . . . [The Long Game] pulls no punches when describing the critiques and failures of the U.S. soccer system over the past few decades.” —Miguel Salazar, The New York Times Book Review The gripping account of the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s winding saga...