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.
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.’
-
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.
