Soccer History

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...

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. 

Welcome to the School of Soccer! Dive into a world where soccer is more than a game—it's a lesson in dreams, perseverance, and triumph. "Inspiring Soccer Stories for Kids" invites young readers to discover the lives of 28 soccer legends who exemplify resilience and success. From Pelé and Ronaldinho’s iconic moves to Messi and Ronaldo’s relentless drive, these stories go beyond the pitch, offering lessons every child can apply to their life.

Are you searching for the perfect book to ignite your child’s love for soccer, even if they’ve never kicked a ball before? Look no further than A Kid’s Guide to Soccer Legends! This engaging, fun-filled guide is packed with captivating stories, powerful lessons in perseverance, and motivational heroes both on and off the pitch.

Technique, speed, and tactical execution are crucial components of winning soccer, but it is mental toughness that marks out the very best players - the ability to play when pressure is highest, the opposition is strongest, and fear is greatest. Top players and coaches understand the importance of sport psychology in soccer but how do you train your mind to become the best player you can be? Soccer Tough demystifies this crucial side of the game and offers practical techniques that will enable soccer players of all abilities to actively develop focus, energy, and confidence.

'Magnificent . . . Goldblatt is the doyen of sports historians and brings to this account his forensic and telling eye for detail' - Mail on Sunday A Sunday Times Best Sports Book of the Year The epic exploration of society, politics, and economics in the twenty-first century through the prism...

The World Cup is the largest sports event outside the summer Olympics: the progress of the 32 countries which qualify for the finals is watched by billions all over the globe. Since the very first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, there have been 18 finals, held every four years (with a 12-year break over the World War II period). The World Cup in South Africa will be the 19th. Brian Glanville, the distinguished journalist and World Cup historian, has written a fascinating history of the event.

FROM THE NO.1 FOOTBALL SERIES - OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD! NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED IN AUDIO - Listen to Virgil van Dijk's story for the first time! Name: Virgil van Dijk Nationality: Dutch Hero Rating: 90 Virgil van Dijk started his football career at the age of seven with his local youth team...

From its early amateur days played in the Corinthian Spirit, Preston North End's "Invincibles" of 1888 and great players like Stanley Matthews and Pelé, to the Premier League glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, A History of Football is the story of the dominant teams, memorable occasions, and larger-than-life characters that shaped the game throughout its development. For all lovers of the beautiful game, this is an essential reference to its 150-year history.

This action-packed trivia book is your ultimate challenge—featuring brain-teasing quizzes, fun facts, and iconic moments from 11 major sports including rugby, cricket, basketball, and the NFL.

It was the biggest event in the history of women's sports. And for the Americans, it came down to five kicks. After regulation play and two overtimes in the final game of the 1999 women's World Cup soccer match, the score was 0-0. Penalty kicks would decide the world champion. The Chinese and the Americans would each pick five players. One kick per player. With the score tied 4-4, the Americans had one more chance to win it all.

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.

Soccer is the most popular game in the world, but does it truly belong in the heart of American sports culture? The answer is a resounding yes—and the 150-year journey of elite men’s soccer in the US is filled with drama, surprises, reversals, and triumphs that rival any world-class match.

'Kevin loves his football, he's a passionate supporter of his club and the game' – GARY LINEKER 'Kevin really understands what's funny about football,' – DAVID BADDIEL A (SORT OF) MANIFESTO FOR THE MODERN FOOTBALL SUPPORTER What does being a football fan entail? Can you be a good one or a...

The use of analytics in sport is now well embedded. Marginal gains, the bedrock upon which the cycling coach Dave Brailsford built his greatest successes, are cornerstones of most sports nowadays. But, until recently, that did not apply to the biggest sport in the world. Not in soccer. It was as though this simplest of sports is too complicated for statistics. Or that only one statistic counts, the number of times the ball hits the back of the net. "The only statistic that counts", there’s an often used and annoying stock term.

Inspire the Next Generation of Soccer Stars! Do your kids dream of scoring the winning goal? Are they passionate about soccer and love hearing stories of real-life heroes who never gave up? This book is the perfect fuel for their fire. Inspirational Soccer Stories for Young Readers brings to life the extraordinary journeys of the world’s most iconic soccer legends—told in a way that young listeners can connect with, learn from, and be inspired by.

Think you know football? Think again. From the roaring atmosphere of Mexico City to the glittering stadiums of the United States and Canada, The Complete World Cup 2026 Quiz Book is the ultimate challenge for football fans who live and breathe the beautiful game.

Football, soccer, association football, however you know it - this sport is the most popular in Europe! Look into the origins of how the greatest football league in the world was created, and how it became a financial powerhouse, the clubs that dominated Europe, how media coverage changed the sport, and what is to come next.

Think you know all about soccer? The first World Cup was in 1930. Since then, every World Cup has wowed billions of fans from all over the world. Learn amazing facts about the world's most popular sport, from its early years to thrilling goals and more! Lerner Audiobooks feature professional narration by human voice actors for an engaging audio experience!

FC Barcelona er en legende. Som fodboldinteresseret kan man ikke være ligeglad med FC Barcelona. Klubben er der altid, og er altid garant for underholdning, både på og udenfor banen. "Futbol Club Barcelona - på sporet af klubbens DNA", henvender sig ikke kun til fodboldentusiaster, men til alle som ønsker at vide, hvorfor FC Barcelona er més que un club. Bogen er struktureret omkring fem faste dele: Ejerskab, Strategier, Organisation, Taktik og Resultater samt klubbens kultur og ånd.