Football (Soccer)
Last updated: September 17, 2024
Ever wondered why Americans call football soccer? Or why a tiny country like Iceland—whose goalie is a film director in real life—can beat countries like the UK, with professional football leagues worth billions of pounds? Or are you more interested in football/soccer as a language that cuts across national borders and brings people together?
Below, all our football/soccer book recommendations and interviews. If you don't find what you're looking for, please email us with suggestions. If you are an avid football/soccer book reader, you can also make your own list here.
Our most recommended football (soccer) book is currently Simon Kuper's Football Against the Enemy.
Best Football Books for Kids and Young Adults, recommended by Dave Cousins
As World Cup fever builds to irresistible levels, there is no better time to get kids reading by presenting them with a few books about ‘the beautiful game.’ Award-winning children’s author and self-confessed football fanatic Dave Cousins, recommends five fantastic football books for kids and young adults.
Best Football Books (in English), recommended by Simon Kuper
FT columnist and author Simon Kuper tells us what it means to be a football fan and why England always seem to lose. He picks the best football books (in English).
The best books on Football, recommended by Rob Hughes
Football is about so much more than just football. Veteran sport journalist Rob Hughes recommends some of his favourite football books.
The best books on Football, recommended by David Baddiel
British writer, comedian and broadcaster David Baddiel with his five football must-reads.
The best books on World Football, recommended by Steve Bloomfield
The author and journalist makes his selection of the best books on World Football. Features volumes from Simon Kuper and Alex Bellos, as well as a cracking investigation into FIFA corruption
The best books on Soccer as a Second Language, recommended by John Turnbull
When the World Cup comes around, many of us think of our national teams and their chances of winning. But the beauty of football is how international it is, and its ability to cut across borders. John Turnbull of the Global Game blog introduces us to football (or soccer) ‘as a second language.’
The best books on Global Sport, recommended by Andrei Markovits
The Professor of Comparative Politics & German Studies at the University of Michigan and avid baseball, basketball, American football and ice-hockey fan gives us his views on Global Sport.
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1
Goalkeepers Are Different
by Brian Glanville -
2
The Illustrated History of Football
by David Squires -
3
The Kingfisher Football Encyclopedia
by Clive Gifford -
4
Kane (Ultimate Football Heroes)
by Matt & Tom Oldfield -
5
Football School Season 1: Where Football Explains the World
by Alex Bellos, Ben Lyttleton & Spike Gerrell
Best Football Books for 11 Year Olds, recommended by Alexander
Best Football Books for 11 Year Olds, recommended by Alexander
There are a lot of books about football for sale in bookshops these days, but which ones are any good? 11-year-old Alexander, who loves football as well as reading, shares his choices of the best football books for kids as part of our ‘By Children for Children‘ series.
