Football Books for Adults

by Miguel Delaney

€13.99

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER & WINNER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD Fully updated to cover Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, the Manchester City charges case and the 2024/25 season. 'Important, perfectly timed and hugely necessary.' – The Guardian The definitive account of how capitalism and the world’s elite corrupted modern football. Journeying from Abu Dhabi to Newcastle, and onto London, Paris, Moscow and New York, journalist Miguel Delaney investigates allegations of sports-washing and misconduct in the beautiful game. The result is a gripping account of how football has been taken over by the world’s wealthiest businessmen, state-backed corporations and oil-rich oligarchs.

by Mark Tighe

€12.76

THE NO.1 BESTSELLER! 'I read it in one sitting, it's a superb book' Eamon Dunphy, The Stand 'An astonishing exposé' Martin Ziegler, The Times Over the course of fifteen years, John Delaney ran the Football Association of Ireland as his own personal fiefdom. He had his critics, but his power was never seriously challenged until last year, when Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan published a sequence of stories in the Sunday Times containing damaging revelations about his personal compensation and the parlous financial situation of the FAI. Delaney's reputation as a great financial manager was left in tatters. He resigned under pressure, and the FAI was left hoping for a massive bail-out from the Irish taxpayer. In Champagne Football, Tighe and Rowan dig deep into the story of Delaney's career and of the FAI's slide into ruin. They show how he surrounded himself with people whose personal loyalty he could count on, and a board that failed to notice that the association's finances were shot. They detail Delaney's skilful cultivation of opinion-formers outside the FAI. And they document the culture of excess that Delaney presided over and benefited from, to the detriment of the organization he led. Champagne Football is a gripping, sometimes darkly hilarious and often enraging piece of reporting by the award-winning journalists who finally pulled back the curtain on the FAI's mismanagement. ____________ 'Excellent' Irish Sun 'A jaw-dropping story ... brilliant' Irish Times 'Essential reading' Irish Daily Star 'Astonishing ... Side-splittingly hilarious' Guardian 'A damning account' Sunday Independent 'An instant classic, one of the all-time great Irish sports books' Alan English 'Excellent ... includes staggering detail' Daily Mail 'A cracking read ... [An] incredible amount of jaw-dropping detail' Matt Cooper 'One of the most hotly-anticipated sport books of the year' Brendan O'Connor 'A masterpiece' Tommy Martin 'At last, the truth of his ruinous reign has been rigorously and painstakingly exposed' Irish Daily Mail 'An absolutely extraordinary book' Eoin McDevitt, Second Captains 'Remarkable. The desperate story of Irish football but also a book about how Ireland works. Outstanding' Dion Fanning

by Barry Flynn

€16.99

Did You Know? On 6 February 1961, Danny Blanchflower became the first, and only, person to refuse to appear as the subject of This is Your Life when he turned down Eamonn Andrews live on BBC TV. From 1882 until 1931, international teams representing the Irish Football Association wore sky blue jerseys rather than green ones. In February 1963, when football grounds in England were unplayable due to the 'big freeze', Manchester United played three of their games in Ireland. The Little Book of Irish Football is a compendium of fascinating, obscure and entertaining stories about the Beautiful Game on the Emerald Isle. It brings to life some of the long-lost tales about how the game grew and thrived across the island. It also explores the division of football in Ireland and the famous players and teams that have stolen the headlines over the decades. The various chapters bring to life the highs and lows of Irish football, telling tales of glory and strife amid adversity.A reliable and quirky guide, this little reference book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the fascinating history of association football in Ireland, as well as the many characters and fans who have brought the game the life over the decades.

by Tifo - The Athletic

€15.07

RULE #1: DON'T WATCH THE BALL Yes, football is about stars, goals and glory. But it's also about the intense calculations and movements being made by the twenty-one other players on the pitch. It's about the ticking clock, and the bellowing fans, and their impact on player psychology. It's about the coach, the club owner, and the director of football, who are watching, scouting and scheming from the side-lines. It's about money and data, about geopolitics and architecture, and even about climate change. Football is the most popular sport in the world, and Tifo Football is one of the world's most popular football channels. In this short, illustrated guide, its creators share fifty-two simple 'rules' for understanding and enjoying the beautiful game-both on and off the pitch. Covering the key concepts, tactics and philosophies that are shaping the sport today, How to Watch Football reveals surprising new perspectives on familiar elements of gameplay, while highlighting lesser-known aspects of the industry and its history

by Christoph Biermann

€12.99

Well written and thoughtful. Takes us on a tour of some of Europe's most innovative football thinkers - Financial Times The future of football is now. Football's data revolution has only just begun. The arrival of advanced metrics and detailed analysis is already reshaping the modern game. We can now fully assess player performance, analyse the role of luck and measure what really leads to victory. There is no turning back. Now the race is on between football's wealthiest clubs and a group of outsiders, nerds and rule-breakers, who are turning the game on its head with their staggering innovations. Winning is no longer just about what happens out on the pitch, it's now a battle taking place in boardrooms and on screens across international borders with the world's brightest minds driving for an edge over their fiercest rivals. Christoph Biermann has moved in the midst of these disruptive upheavals, talking to scientists, coaches, managers, scouts and psychologists in the world's major clubs, traveling across Europe and the US and revealing the hidden - and often jaw-dropping - truths behind the beautiful game. 'A book full of exciting ideas and inside views on modern football. The most exciting book in an exciting time for football.' Thomas Hitzlsperger

by Classic Football Shirts

€35.99

This is a love letter to football shirts and fan culture, told through the world’smost sought-after kits. From greatest hits to modern classics, this book includes all of the most iconic shirts from the archive of Classic Football Shirts. Featuring hundreds of match-worn shirts from clubs around the world, from the early career of Ronaldo to the heights of Beckham at Manchester United, alongside shirts from iconic football moments, including Maradona’s infamous hand-of-God match, Pelé and Zidane’s world cup victories, the style and flair of Italia ’90 and Messi’s record-breaking season at Barcelona. In essays by sports journalist Rory Smith, Classic Football Shirts delves into the identity, history and fashion of football shirts, illustrated with hundreds of shirts from national teams, beloved clubs, World Cups, Champions League finals and footballing legends. Painstakingly researched and collected by the team at Classic Football Shirts over twenty years, in this book they have unlocked their vault, telling the story of football through its most iconic kits.

by Jonathan Wilson

€13.99

'A master at telling football's greatest ever stories... Breathtaking. Wilson's eye for detail and his elegant writing brings the World Cup to life like no other book on the topic I have ever read' ELIS JAMES 'Epic in scope, awesomely rich in detail, and compulsively entertaining' TOM HOLLAND 'So much of what we know of football's history we know thanks to Wilson' SIMON KUPER The football World Cup is the most watched sporting event on the planet. It has become a global obsession: 211 nations initially entered the 2022 edition. It has been running for almost a century. Yet there has never been a comprehensive history of the World Cup that has considered not only the matches and goals, the players and coaches, the tales of scandal and genius, the haggling and skulduggery of the bidding process, but has also placed the tournaments within a socio-political framework. The story of the World Cup is also the story of the world; this book tells its definitive history. Ideal for readers who… love football history told on a grand, global scale want more than match results—politics, power, scandal, and culture included are fascinated by World Cup legends, coaches, bids, and turning points enjoy deeply researched sports writing with narrative drive see football as a window into the history of the modern world

by DK

€19.49

Fully revised and updated, this is the ultimate guide to the "beautiful game" for any football fan who wants to discover everything there is to know about the biggest clubs of all time and World Cup winners, or brush up on their football skills and techniques. Whether you are a keen player, a lifelong supporter, or an armchair football manager, this book illustrates every aspect of the most popular sport in the world. The Football Book reveals the story behind the sport - from its history around the globe to the results of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Take a trip to "Planet Football" with this fantastic guide, including: The very latest facts and stats from all over the world Bold graphics that explore everything from team formations and attacking strategies to football shirts and the most iconic haircuts from soccer history The history of the sport, the rules of the game, key skills, the clubs, competitions, and records Special profiles that profile famous matches, celebrated stadiums, and much more Step-by-step artworks and jargon-free text profile the roles of players, football kit and equipment, team formations, strategies, and individual skills, while maps, quotes, and statistics give you all of the key facts on national teams, famous club sides, and iconic players, as well as the greatest competitions around the world. Packed with everything there is to know about the sport, this is the ultimate book for footie fans everywhere - whether young or old.

by Rick Barba

€43.50

The World Cup truly has it all: prodigious goals, dramatic decisions, upset victories, shocking scandals, and so much more. This beautiful coffee-table book covers every moment of it in a collection of striking photos 2014;from the very first tournament in 1930 all the way to 2022's prophetic victory for the all-time great Lionel Messi.As football fans eagerly anticipate the iconic moments to come during the next World Cup in 2026, this book will offer a pulse-pounding window into the legendary memories of the past, such as Uruguay's 1930 coronation as inaugural host-champions, England's triump in 1966, Brazil's legendary 1970 squad, Zinedine Zidane's infamous headbutt in 2006, and many more.THE ICONS: The World Cup is the greatest tournament in the world's greatest sport. Find out which players and moments have stood out as legends among icons!FROM TOTAL FOOTBALL TO JOGA BONITO: Go further into World Cup history than ever before with essential anecdotes, compelling recounts, and stunning photographs featuring the greatest national team squads and international football legends!2026 WORLD CUP: There is no better way to get ready for 2026 than by delving into the World Cup's rich heritage and celebrating a one-of-a-kind sporting tradition.LASTING QUALITY: This hardcover coffee-table book provides a truly deluxe experience with full-colour photography of the highest caliber and a design firmly entrenched in the football tradition. Crafted with care, expect this volume to last another 22 World Cups.

by Joey D'Urso

€15.95

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD A GUARDIAN SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR A WATERSTONES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A marvellous football book, although it is much more than that' The Times 'More Than A Shirt shows why geopolitics keeps invading the pitch' The Economist 'D'Urso's simple conceit offers a sparklingly fresh snapshot' The Guardian Compelling and eye-opening, More Than A Shirt  will change the way you think about the beautiful game's most universal symbol. Football shirts are the sport's greatest means of cultural expression, but a seemingly innocuous combination of colours, sponsor logos and materials can all reflect the social values, financial struggles and political ideologies of the day, as geopolitical issues increasingly seep into every aspect of the game. Investigative journalist Joey D'Urso has travelled across the globe, combining on-the-ground reporting with unparalleled analysis to collate a list of the twenty-two football shirts that best explain the modern world.  More Than A Shirt will take fans on a journey from Birmingham to Belgrade and onto Medellin and Mumbai, outlining how we can see the war in Ukraine in the shirt of Schalke in Germany, China's foreign policy in West Bromwich Albion's and why the French national kit embodies worldwide migration patterns.

by Keir Radnedge

€24.65

The definitive illustrated guide to the biggest FIFA World Cup ever is here! FIFA World Cup 2026: The Official Guide is the essential companion to the world's biggest sporting event. With 48 nations competing in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 tournament promises to the most exciting, competitive and spectacular edition yet. Inside the Official Guide, you'll find everything you need to follow the FIFA World Cup, including: 🏟️ Guides to all 16 host cities, from Mexico City to Miami and Toronto to New York. ⚽️ Analysis of every team competing. ⭐️ Profiles of star players to watch. 🌎 Reviews of the qualifiers across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa and Oceania. ✅ A fill-in guide to track results as the tournament progresses. Packed full of facts and statistics, and illustrated with superb photography throughout, this is the only handbook you'll need to follow all the action at FIFA World Cup 2026.

by Chris Evans

€15.95

'A brilliant new perspective' - Jamie Carragher 'Superb' - Daniel Taylor WITH NEW AND UPDATED CONTENT FOR THE MEN'S FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 THIS INSIGHTFUL INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE MINDSETS AND UNBELIEVABLE APPROACHES OF THE COACHES SEEKING FOOTBALL'S ULTIMATE PRIZE Godlike geniuses or the focus of a disappointed nation's fury - the world's most prestigious tournament makes or breaks national coaches. Only 20 managers have guided their team to World Cup glory, so what are their secrets? From revolutionary tactics to hare-brained schemes, this book searches for the keys to the most exclusive club in men's international football. They may silently plot on the bench or manically gesticulate from the sidelines, but what can coaches really do to influence their team's performance? Discover the tactical innovations and brilliant strategies as well as the bizarre superstitions, psychological masterclasses and bonkers team-building regimes that managers have employed in the quest for that iconic trophy. Charting the successes, failures, dramas and controversies of over 90 years of men's World Cup action through the insights of World Cup stars including Alexi Lalas, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Pierre Littbarski, Roberto Martinez and Mick McCarthy, this book reveals the lengths the men in the dugouts will go to in order to bring home the greatest prize.

by Simon Kuper

€18.85

The classic bestseller that changed how the world thinks about football 'Quite magnificent - a sort of Freakanomics of football. 'Jonathan Wilson, Guardian'If you're a football fan, I'll save you some time: read this book' Daily Telegraph Football truly is the world's favourite game, followed in over 200 countries by hundreds of millions of people pouring their hearts and souls into supporting their chosen team every week.But behind the passion are questions that all true football fans want answered: has football spending spun out of control? How much do managers matter? Is hosting a World Cup a poisoned chalice?Soccernomics challenges the conventional wisdom to reveal the surprising truths that actually determine success and failure on the pitch. From an acclaimed economist and leading sports journalist, this modern classic uses data and economic principles to explore the myths that dominate the game.Fully revised and updated ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Soccernomics takes you behind the passion and into the patterns - revealing why your team wins, why it loses, and why the game you love doesn't always work the way you think it does. Soccernomics is essential reading for anyone in search of a more strategic, systematic perspective on the game, answering the questions that most consume football fans.

by David Goldblatt

€15.95

A Telegraph Best Book of 2025.A News Statesman Book of the Year 2025.'David Goldblatt is possibly the best football historian there has ever been'. Dominic Sandbrook'David Goldblatt is the greatest British sportswriter of the 21st century … Injury Time is an absolute classic.' James Montague, author of The Billionaires Club and EngulfedFootball, history and the state of the nation - and why it matters.Injury Time is a sharp and thought provoking look at contemporary British society through the lens of football; a society shaken by more than a decade of economic, political and social upheaval, whose causes and consequences have proved hard to grasp.Set against the backdrop of Brexit, Covid and today's 'polycrisis' - spanning economic decline, war in Europe, political unrest and climate change - this book argues that football provides an unmatched vantage point for understanding the nation's state of affairs. From grassroots clubs battling for survival to the rise and fall of Russian oligarchs in the sport, the game's tragedies and triumphs echo the larger shifts shaping Britain.With striking examples such as Marcus Rashford's anti-hunger campaign and the uproar surrounding Gary Lineker's tweets, Injury Time underscores football's central role in public conversation. Football, Goldblatt contends, is the ultimate societal bellwether - a reflection of Britain's virtues and flaws alike.

by Simon Kuper

€17.40

A Sports Book of the Year in the Irish Times, the FT and the Mail on Sunday'Kuper is one of the best sportswriters in the English language today' New Yorker'Unmissable ... The ultimate book for anyone who loves football' Mail on Sunday'A brilliant evocation of the joy of the football carnival and the absurdities of the global spectacle... an essential companion' David Goldblatt It's the biggest competition on Earth. A four-yearly chance for the world's greatest footballers to realise their ultimate dream. A month-long media spectacle that's watched by billions. The World Cup has changed beyond recognition since the early days, when the players were semi-pros and the trophy went missing. Today, it's a corporate-led bonanza of dark money and dubious ethics. Simon Kuper, bestselling author of Barça, reflects on every tournament since Italia 90 to reveal a captivating portrait of sport in a globalised world. Entertaining and compelling, World Cup Fever is the definitive story of football's greatest drama, and of how the tournament can touch - and even change - our lives.