Soccernomics (2026 World Cup Edition): Why European Men and American Women Usually Win--And American Men Don't (Yet) - Paperback

by Simon Kuper (Author), Stefan Szymanski (Author)

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.

Author Biography

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.