Lists

Soccer’s standing as the world’s game has opened it to a wealth of different viewpoints and cultural backgrounds, and the literature of the sport truly reflects this diversity. Whether the focus is on the game’s most interesting characters, the tactics, the supporters or the memorable events, soccer is a topic that has yielded some of the finest writing of any sport. Here is a selection of 18 of the best books concerning the beautiful game.

One of the most beautiful things about soccer, particularly from an American perspective, is the absence of being bombarded by advertisements for a duration as long as the game itself. But when commercials are done right, they can become synonymous with the event and sometimes even more memorable. 

Here are five commercials that made us laugh, marvel and feel inspired over the course of the last year.

After the smattering of originality at Euro 2016 thanks to a series of cookie cutter kits from Nike, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations looks to be a romantic affair for jersey lovers. These are the best selections of what national sides like Senegal, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast will be wearing in Gabon.

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations begins on January 14 in Gabon. This will be the 31st edition of the 16-team tournament, with the Ivory Coast serving as the defending champions from the 2015 event. 

The Ivory Coast are the early favorites to repeat, but the likes of Senegal, Algeria, Ghana and Egypt are also strong bets with talented squads. What makes the tournament so electrifying is its unpredictability — the 30 previous tournaments have seen 14 different nations crowned champions.

2016 has come and gone in a flash. For football fans, it's been a fairytale year with many surprises. Here are the most amazing moments that unfolded in the past year.

For many, 2016 will be remembered as a year of loss. For all the remarkable gains, achievements and creations that sprung from 2016, it’s often the hurt derived from defeats and casualties that reverberates most poignantly. Here are 10 things we’ve lost in football over the course of 2016.