The football encyclopedia / Clive Gifford.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction (The beautiful game ; Then and now ; Football's origins ; The global game) -- Snapshot: Madrid's magnificent seven -- 2. Playing the game (Basic skills ; Movement and space ; Officials ; Defending ; Gioalkeeping ; Attacking ; Goalscoring ; Free kicks and penalties) -- Snapshot: Baggio's penalty miss -- 3. Football legends (Goalkeepers ; Defenders ; Midfielders and wingers ; Strikers) -- Snapshot: Maradona's World Cup -- 4. The brain game (The brain game ; Formations ; Tactics ; The manager's role ; Great managers) -- Snapshot: The Wingless Wonders -- 5. Great sides (National sides ; Club sides) -- Snapshot: The World Cup comes home -- 6. Football fortunes (Football dreams ; A pro's life ; The players' stage ; Supporters and teams ; The football industry ; Football nightmares) -- Snapshot: Spain win at last -- 7. Competitions (The World Cup ; The European Championship ; The Olympics ; The Copa America ; The African Nations Cup ; The Asian Games and Asian Cup ; The CONCACAF Championship ; Football leagues ; Club cup competitions ; European champions) -- Snapshot: Brazil 2014 -- Reference (Football in Australia and New Zealand ; Glossary)

The 2018 World Cup edition of Kingfisher's The Football Encyclopedia captures the triumph and despair of key moments in world soccer. The book is packed with pictures and profiles of the world's most skillful soccer players past and present from Beckham to Messi, Pele to Ronaldo, Rooney to Neymar. Over 40 of the best international and national teams to have lit up the game are covered in detail, including Brazil, Spain, Manchester United and Barcelona. The Football Encyclopedia includes in-depth coverage of every aspect of soccer, including rules and skills; fans and the media; managers; and tactics. Packed with the latest statistics, including an updated report on Euro 16, this book is a superbly detailed reference book for all the family. A pull-out WORLD CUP 2018 wall-chart can be filled in with all the results as the tournament progresses.