Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Spain, Germany, and Brazil Win, and Why the US, Japan, Australia—and Even Iraq—Are Destined to Become Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport

"Much of what we know about modern football is a myth. The book’s authors debunk popular misconceptions and, with examples, show how football is connected to life beyond the stadiums through economic, cultural, and demographic threads. Which country loves football the most? Is it true that football clubs make crazy amounts of money? Can this game deter suicide? Does winning a championship depend on the country’s population and average income? How does statistics help goalkeepers save penalties? Does the England national team really play worse than it possibly could? And what awaits the Russia national team?
Why is this book worth reading? “Footbalconomics” first came out in 2008, and since then it has been translated into 24 languages. The total circulation of all editions is 250,000 copies. This is a new, expanded, and heavily revised edition. In it, the authors talk about women’s football, scandals in FIFA, and explain Iceland’s national team’s success.