[A]s the world watches the 2022 World Cup, author Clemente A. Lisi's The FIFA World Cup goes into detail of each year's key matches, the changes that have occurred over the years (for example the introduction of the red and yellows cards and the recent use of Video Assistant Referee or VAR) and biographies of some of the game's GOATs from 1930 to today. This book is both an enjoyable read and a handy reference. Papa Clicker, Herb Marchand, gives it a really strong 4.5 out of 5 clickers.

Lisi provides vivid accounts of individual games, details the innovations that impacted the sport across the decades, and offers biographical sketches of greats such as Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi. In addition, the author includes needed, objective coverage of off-field controversies such as the FIFA corruption case, making this book the only complete and impartial history of the tournament.

Read this book! A masterful, must-read guide full of important well-researched information for those of us who want more history and context to better enjoy and understand the World Cup.

Clemente Lisi's new book, The FIFA World Cup, serves as a wonderful walk down memory lane for fans of the beautiful game's biggest event. Lisi fell in love with the World Cup watching the '82 tournament at his grandmother's apartment in Italy. I fell in love with the World Cup that same summer watching the epic Germany-France semifinal shootout with my grandparents in Germany. Millions of us have similar stories to tell. Lisi's passion for the World Cup comes shining through in his well-researched, entertaining book, perfect for both die-hards and casual fans alike.

Clemente Lisi's lifelong passion for soccer shines through on every page. The book is a great resource for novice and expert readers alike. The World Cup is the rare sports event that even non-fans can unite around and with this book he has found the back of the net.

The World Cup is unique and, with every succeeding tournament, the task of encompassing its goals and own goals, heroes and villains, magic and muddles becomes ever more of a challenge. Lisi has met that daunting test full-on and with an enthusiasm and love of the game which breathes through every page to render this a worthy addition to the genre.

The FIFA World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event is a book that people with a general interest in football can and should read before future World Cup tournaments.