Soccer & LacrosseSoccer economics

Soccernomics

2026 World Cup Edition

by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski

Paperback

Regular price $21.99
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The Sports Plus take

Soccer explained by the numbers.

A sportswriter and an economist use data to answer the questions fans argue about: why clubs lose money, whether coaches matter, and why the U.S. men haven't won big (yet). This 2026 World Cup edition adds a new chapter on MLS, Messi in Miami and the rise of American soccer.

How it reads

Moderate

Best for

  • Soccer fans
  • Data nerds
  • Coaches

About this book

Author
Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski
Publisher
Bold Type Books
Published
May 5, 2026
Format
Paperback
Pages
496
ISBN-10
1645030776
ISBN-13
978-1645030775

Book description

Updated 2026 World Cup Edition

In this modern classic, a leading sportswriter and an acclaimed sports economist apply high-powered analytical tools to everyday soccer topics

"Soccernomics is the most intelligent book ever written about soccer."—San Francisco Chronicle

Why do clubs almost always lose money—and does it mean some will disappear? Why doesn't America dominate the sport internationally? Do coaches actually even matter? These are the questions that most consume soccer fans—and Soccernomics holds the answers.

Soccernomics is a revolutionary way of looking at soccer that has helped to change how some of the world's biggest clubs are run. Using insights and analogies from economics, statistics, psychology, and business to cast a new and entertaining light on how the game works, experts Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski reveal the often surprisingly counterintuitive truths about soccer.

This 2026 World Cup edition is updated throughout, including a brand-new chapter discussing MLS, Messi joining Inter Miami, and the rise of soccer in the United States. Soccernomics remains essential reading for anyone in search of a strategic, systematic perspective on the game.

About the author

Simon Kuper is a leading soccer writer. The winner of the William Hill Prize for sports book of the year in Britain, Kuper writes a weekly column for the Financial Times. He lives in Paris, France.

Stefan Szymanski is a professor of sport management at the University of Michigan and a leading sports economist. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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