Soccer World

The football stories that sound too good to be true, and all of them are. A goalkeeper who scored 131 goals. A Brazilian emperor of dribbling whose epitaph reads "the Joy of the People." Soldiers who climbed out of the trenches on Christmas Day 1914 to kick a ball in no-man's land. A free-kick so impossible that French physicists wrote a research paper proving it was theoretically possible, but only just. Soccer Tales is a treasury of the game's greatest stories, legends and curiosities, told the way a coach tells them after training. No tactics diagrams. No statistics ledger. Just the ...

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...

**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...

The story of how soccer has transformed the world—as seen through nine World Cups—by one of our most talented writers on the sport. The World Cup is the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth—a chance every four years for the greatest players to win international glory, and a month-long media...

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...

"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...

A brilliant and entertaining deconstruction of the most popular sport in the world, just in time for the 2026 World Cup in North America, from the bestselling author of How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius In How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius, Nick Greene calls on a turf manager, an expert on...

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...

Soccer (or football) is a popular and beloved sport all over the world. Discover the most talented goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards with Soccer Biographies for Kids. This lineup shows you what it takes to be one of the greats, with the amazing stories, stats, and achievements of the best players on the pitch.

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...

He demands absolute control to win the World Cup. She is the sunshine that refuses to bend. Vincenzo Messina has one goal: win the World Cup. As Italy’s brilliant, notoriously grumpy coach, he has no room for distractions, scandals, or feelings he can’t control. Then Sofia Hofer walks into his training camp. She’s his new PR director—bright, stubborn, impossible to intimidate—and far too good at making him lose his temper. Worse, she seems to enjoy it. When a sponsorship deal forces them into thirty days of close quarters at a secluded base camp, every argument starts lasting a ...

How do some of soccer’s smartest and most accomplished figures master the craft of the game? This in-depth analysis of modern soccer reveals how elite players and coaches strategize on and off the field to execute in high-pressure situations. “A worthy addition to any soccer fan’s...

⚽ 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 ...

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...

Two weeks ago, the thoughts he was having about the gorgeous women of Rochester would have certainly had him seeing a red card. Clay Shore's trip to the World Cup was inevitable, right up until the moment his ACL gave out on him. Unfortunately, his fairytale life, living in the perfect house with his high school sweetheart, Remy, was more dependent on the 'Golden Boy' status he once had than he would have ever thought. Pushed out the door rapidly through the legal railroading of his wealthy father-in-law, he decides to restart his life at twenty-seven, in Rochester, buying a house sight ...

15 Of The Most Inspirational Stories From The Best Athletes In Sports History To Help Inspire & Motivate The Young Athlete In Your Life! Do you have a young athlete in your life you want to inspire? Do they need a dose of inspiration from the greatest athletes to have ever played? Do you want to help fire them up & get them more motivated than ever while teaching them valuable life lessons? Well you are in the right place! Inside we have 15 Inspiring Stories from the greatest sportsmen and women to ever step onto the field. Not only that, each story will take the young athlete in your life ...

Every kid who has ever kicked a ball against a wall and imagined scoring the winning goal in the World Cup Final will feel right at home in this inspiring collection of soccer stories. Epic Soccer Book for Kids Ages 8–12 brings the most unforgettable moments in soccer history to life through the journeys of legendary players, rising stars, and the tournament that captures the imagination of billions of fans around the world.

With rare and unrivaled access, bestselling coauthor of Soccernomics and longtime Financial Times journalist Simon Kuper tells the story of how FC Barcelona became the most successful club in the world—and how that era is now ending FC Barcelona is not just the world’s highest grossing...