An all-encompassing, chronological guide to football's World Cup, one of the world's few truly international events, in good time for the June 2014 kick-off in Rio de Janeiro. From its beginnings in 1930 to the modern all-singing, all-dancing self-styled 'greatest show on Earth', every tournament is covered with features on major stars and great games, as well as stories about some less celebrated names and quirky stats and intriguing essays. Holt's focus is very much on what takes place on the field, rather than how football is a mirror for economic corruption, or how a nation's style of play represents a profound statement about its people, or how a passion for football can lift underpaid, socially marginalised people out of poverty. From the best World Cups, in 1958 and 1970, to the worst, in 1962 and 2010, he looks behind the facts and the technical observations to the stories: the mysterious sins of omission; critical injuries to key players; and coaching U-turns. He explains how England's World Cup achievements under Sven-Goeran Eriksson, far from being a national disgrace, were actually quite impressive, and looks at why Alf Ramsey didn't take Bobby Charlton off in 1970, but this is no parochial, jingoistic account. The book also asks why Brazil did not contribute in 1966, despite having won the previous two tournaments and going on to win the next one? Why the greatest players of their day did not always shine at the World Cup - George Best and Alfredo Di Stefano, for example, never even made it to the Finals. Why did Johann Cruyff not go to the 1978 World Cup? And why did one of Germany's greatest players never play in the World Cup? There are lots of tables, some filled with obvious, but necessary information, but others with more quirky observations. Alongside accounts of epic games, there are also brief biographies of all the great heroes of the World Cup.

Few cultural activities speak more powerfully to international histories of the modern world than football. In the late nineteenth century, this cheap and simple sport emerged as a major legacy of Britain's formal and informal empires and spread quickly across Europe, South America, and Africa. Today, football (known to many as soccer) is arguably the world's most popular pastime, an activity played and watched by millions of people around the globe. Contested Fields introduces readers to key aspects of the global game, synthesizing research on football's transnational role in reflecting and shaping political, socio-economic, and cultural developments over the past 150 years. Each chapter uses case studies and cutting-edge scholarship to analyze an important element of football's international story: migration, money, competition, gender, race, space, spectatorship, and confrontation.

'Brilliant' Guardian 'Exuberant' Financial Times 'Colourful' The Times In June 1986 Diego Maradona, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, proudly hoisted the '86 Mexico World Championship Cup in his hands. Now over thirty years on from that magical game, and after a life in sports marked by controversy, Maradona tells, for the first time, the untold stories behind that one-of-a-kind World Cup. Mexico '86 was the pinnacle of Maradona's career, and in this book he reveals all about every game, what happened afterwards in the locker room, the months leading up to the World Cup, when the team had to go to Mexico City a month early to avoid the overthrowing of the technical director by the Argentine president, Alfonsin, the mystery behind 'El Gran Capitan' Passarella ('78 World Cup Champion), the strategies and tactics that revolutionised the game, training in a country that was recovering from an earthquake, the public's hostility, the jerseys they went out to buy in Mexico City, the meeting in Colombia where the team really came together, his relationship to drugs: the clean World Cup, and the best goal in football history. Mexico '86 is Maradona's World Cup and Maradona is who he is because of that World Cup. Explosive, gritty and unapologetic, Touched by God tells the inside story of one of the greatest football victories of all time.

Fifty years on, the ultimate football and World Cup legend Sir Bobby Charlton looks back on England's greatest sporting triumph Wembley, 1966. England wins the World Cup to roars of a euphoric home crowd. Sir Bobby Charlton, England's greatest ever player, was there on the pitch. Now, half a century on, he looks back on the most glorious moment of his life and England's greatest sporting achievement. In 1966, he takes us through the build-up to the tournament and to the final itself - what he saw, what he heard, what he felt. He tells us what it was like to be part of Sir Alf Ramsey's team, his memories of his teammates, the matches, the atmosphere; the emotion of being carried on the wave of a nation's euphoria and how it felt to go toe-to-toe with some of the foremost footballers to ever play the game. His life has been forever defined by a single moment: one day when a man stood side-by-side with his best friends, united in a single aim in front of a watching nation. This is his story. 'It's gripping stuff... This is a mellow book, the product of many years' contemplation, and emotional in a way that may surprise you...He has a wonderful story to tell' Daily Mail

The Big Fix gives the first detailed account of how South Africa paid $10 million to secure the 2010 World Cup.

Between June and July 2010, 64 games of football determined that Spain was the world’s best team at the World Cup in South Africa. South Africans – and the world – celebrated a brilliantly hosted tournament where everything worked like clockwork and the stands were packed with vuvuzela‐wielding fans. But the truth was not yet known. Behind this significant national achievement lay years of corporate skulduggery, crooked companies rigging tenders and match fixing involving the national team. As late as 2015 it was revealed that the tournament’s very foundations were corrupt when evidence emerged that South Africa had encouraged FIFA to pay money to a bent official in the Caribbean to buy three votes in its favour. As Sepp Blatter’s FIFA edifice crumbled, a web of transactions from New York to Trinidad and Tobago showed how money was diverted to allow South Africa’s bid to host the tournament to succeed.

In The Big Fix: How South Africa Stole The 2010 World Cup, Ray Hartley reveals the story of an epic national achievement and the people who undermined it in pursuit of their own interests. It is the real story of the 2010 World Cup.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match of every single tournament in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, the memorable, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume looks at the three World Cups from 1970 to 1978, as colour TV brought the watching millions the great Brazilians of 1970, the Total Football of Johan Cruyff's Holland and a new World Cup trophy.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match of every single tournament in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, the memorable, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume looks in detail at the three World Cup tournaments from 1958 to 1966, starting with the emergence of a boy wonder named Pele in Sweden 1958 and ending with England's glorious triumph in 1966."

Blending witty travelogue with action on the field-and shady dealings in back rooms-George Vecsey offers an eye-opening, globe-trotting account of eight World Cups. He immerses himself in the great national leagues, historic clubs, and devoted fans and provides his up-close impressions of charismatic soccer stars like socrates, Maradona, Baggio, and Zidane, while also chronicling the rise of the U.S. men's and women's teams. Vecsey shows how each host nation has made the World Cup its own, from the all-night street parties in Spain in 1982 to the roar of vuvuzelas in South Africa in 2010, as the game in the stadium is backed up by the game in the street. But the joy is sometimes undermined by those who style themselves the game's protectors. The paperback edition also includes a new afterword about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which reached new levels of excitement and interest, especially in the United States. Vecsey's sharp reporting and eye for detail make his book an unforgettable journey.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match of every single tournament in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, the memorable, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume looks in detail at the first two World Cups of the new millennium, including the shocks and sensation of 2002 and the coronation of Ronaldo as the World Cup's greatest ever goalscorer.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume looks at the three World Cups from 1982 to 1990, including the genius of Diego Maradona and heartbreak after heartbreak for England. It also features an exclusive interview with England legend Gary Lineker on his World Cup memories.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match of every single tournament in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, the memorable, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume looks at the final two World Cups of the 20th century, 1994 and 1998, from Diana Ross' opening ceremony gaffe to Zinedine Zidane's crowning glory, as the tournament expanded to the 32 teams of today.

Books on the World Cup fall into two types: some are weighty, detailed and reasonably accurate but inaccessible, for the most hardcore of fans only; others are funny, easy to read and a great introduction but pack little punch and leave plenty of stones unturned. There is nothing in the middle. But why not? What if there were something which both World Cup veterans and novices could pick up and enjoy, with all the info and all the drama, all the stats and all the weirdest incidents? There is now. This series of books covers both bases: it looks at every single match of every single tournament in more detail than ever before, not missing a single kick; but it also searches out the fascinating, the extraordinary, the memorable, and brings them out of the text, highlighting the pick of the action. This volume takes in Spain's glorious triumph in South Africa in 2010 and previews this summer's extravaganza in Brazil. It also includes all-time team selections for all the World Cup's most successful nations.

'England invented football, codified it, became champions of the world in 1966 but humiliatingly then forgot how to play the greatest game of all. England took their eye off a ball they arrogantly thought they owned, allowing other nations to run off with it.' It was Fifty Years of Hurt from when Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup trophy at Wembley to arguably the nadir of the national game - defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016 and the most botched managerial appointment in FA history. In this groundbreaking book, a Sunday Times bestseller, Henry Winter addresses the state England are in as they celebrate, or rather not, the golden anniversary of their greatest moment. Part lament, part anatomy of an obsession, both personal and collective, it analyses the truth behind the endless excuses, apportions the blame for the crimes against English football, but is also a search for hope and solutions. As well as players and managers, Henry Winter talks to the fans, to agents, to officials, to the governing bodies, about every aspect, good and bad, of English football over the past five decades to provide answers to the question: 'where did it all go wrong?'. It is a passionate journey by a writer with vast personal insight into the national team, with unprecedented access to all areas of the game, but also by a fan who wants his England back. The Fifty Years of Hurt must end.

1966 was an iconic year in an incredible decade. The Beatles were at the height of their fame, programmes such as Ready Steady Go! and Top of the Pops dominated the television screen, and England won the World Cup in nail-biting fashion against West Germany at Wembley. For those of us who were around during this incredible year it still seems like yesterday. But now, fifty years later, this collection of memories by bestselling author Paul Feeney will be enjoyed by anyone who lived through 1966.

The World Cup in 100 Objects tells the almost 90-year history of the world's most celebrated sporting event from a unique perspective and proudly boasts the most fascinating collection of artefacts from FIFA World Cup history. Every object tells a rich and fascinating story from one of the actual balls used in the very first FIFA World Cup final (the two teams could not agree on the match ball so supplied a ball to use in each half) and the collar of Pickles the dog, who found the stolen FIFA World Cup trophy in 1966, to Bobby Moore's shirt that he was photographed giving to Pele in the 1970 finals, and the shirt Diego Maradona wore when he scored his infamous "Hand of God" goal in 1986. Richly illustrated, authoritatively researched and expertly compiled, The World Cup in 100 Objects is produced in association with the National Football Museum (the world's leading football museum) and the official FIFA Collection. With text written by respected footballer authority Iain Spragg, this is the FIFA World Cup as never before.

The perfect gift for all those whose lives revolve around The Beautiful Game ...

The man works all week in the factory. The dog waits at home. On the weekend, they both watch THE MATCH on television together. Results aren't good so the dog decides to do something about it ...

With a knowing, dry humour perfect for fans of Wallace & Gromit, and a simple domestic setting, THE MATCH is the ideal gift for all football fans. Because if you aren't watching football, then reading about it is the next best thing!

With a foreword by England legend Kelly Smith, the country's all-time record goalscorer and a player widely considered one of the best to have played the game. The exciting story of one of the fastest growing sports in the world, played by over 30 million girls and women. Over 25 million people tuned in for the Americans' 2015 Women's World Cup final victory - the most-watched football match in United States history. The Making of the Women's World Cup details the most incredible tales from previous Women's World Cups, including: Carli Lloyd's 13-minute hat trick and the worldwide movement set off by 2015 How Japan made their country smile for the first time since the devastating tsunami The USA's World Cup triumph on home soil in 1999 Germany's back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2007 Marta's magic: The birth of a Brazilian icon How Kelly Smith announced her arrival with the kiss of a boot The beginnings of Australia's golden generation The 122nd-minute USA equalizer against Brazil: the quarterfinal that changed everything The dawn of the Lionesses: England joins world elite through tears of joy and despair

This book is intended for a diverse audience including football fans from various parts of the world visiting Qatar for the first time. It is estimated that at least one million people will visit Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022. We planned this book to be informative, insightful and holistic. The book covers highly relevant subjects to football, from sport infrastructure, elite athletes' performance, the sport's role in health, media, and climate, to sport enthusiast experience.

An all-encompassing, chronological guide to football's World Cup, one of the world's few truly international events, in good time for the June 2018 kick-off in Russia. From its beginnings in 1930 to the modern all-singing, all-dancing self-styled 'greatest show on Earth', every tournament is covered with features on major stars and great games, as well as stories about some less celebrated names and quirky stats and intriguing essays. Holt's focus is very much on what takes place on the field, rather than how football is a mirror for economic corruption, or how a nation's style of play represents a profound statement about its people, or how a passion for football can lift underpaid, socially marginalised people out of poverty. From the best World Cups, in 1958 and 1970, to the worst, in 1962 and 2010, he looks behind the facts and the technical observations to the stories: the mysterious sins of omission; critical injuries to key players; and coaching U-turns. He explains how England's World Cup achievements under Sven-Goeran Eriksson, far from being a national disgrace, were actually quite impressive, and looks at why Alf Ramsey didn't take Bobby Charlton off in 1970, but this is no parochial, jingoistic account. The book also asks why Brazil did not contribute in 1966, despite having won the previous two tournaments and going on to win the next one? Why the greatest players of their day did not always shine at the World Cup - George Best and Alfredo Di Stefano, for example, never even made it to the Finals. Why did Johann Cruyff not go to the 1978 World Cup? And why did one of Germany's greatest players never play in the World Cup? There are lots of tables, some filled with obvious, but necessary information, but others with more quirky observations. Alongside accounts of epic games, there are also brief biographies of all the great heroes of the World Cup.

Every four years the thirty-two-team, sixty-four-game World Cup captivates the planet's populace for a month. Work absenteeism skyrockets. Political campaigns grind to a halt. Fans mortgage their houses to buy tickets. And teams employ every means possible - even consulting witch doctors and astrologers - in their quest for national glory.Veteran soccer commentator Jamie Trecker travelled to Germany for FIFA World Cup 2006. Here, reported from the restaurants, trains, bars, town squares, hostels, press boxes, and brothels, is his unvarnished account of the games and parties, great plays and fistfights, gossip and tacky souvenirs that turn the largest sporting event on earth into a true world bazaar. With equal measures insight and irreverence, Trecker captures the passion, politics, controversies, and economics that make soccer a reflection of the world.