Since 1968, columnist George Vecsey has covered the Olympics, tennis, football, hockey, boxing, baseball, and a variety of other sports for the New York Times. The author of more than a dozen books, including the bestseller Stan Musial: An American Life, he has co-written several celebrity autobiographies, Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner’s Daughter most notable among them. “With the eye of a reporter and the soul of a fan” (ESPN), Vescey’s new book about the enduring phenomenon of worldwide soccer sheds light on the game’s superstar personalities, back room dealings, rabid fans, and the on-field heroics of the last eight World Cups.