The Shortest History of Soccer From Ancient Kicking Games to the World's Most Popular Sport

By: Brian D. Bunk

Published by Experiment LLC, 2026-06-02

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will return to North America for the first time since 1994, bringing the world's most watched sporting event to a nation of people more obsessed with soccer than ever before. With the proliferation of Emmy-winning television series set in and around the world of soccer--like Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham--and the celebrity ownership of teams by everyone from Ryan Reynolds to Elton John, soccer has skyrocketed in its international appeal. How did this game go from an upper-class pastime to one of the world's most inclusive, commercial, and political sports?

Sports historian Brian D. Bunk takes readers on a journey from soccer's humble roots in nineteenth-century England to its meteoric rise in popular culture, tracing the game through time and space. Drawing on key historical and contemporary events, from World Cup boycotts to fights on the pitch, Bunk crafts a concise yet comprehensive history of the sport as an influence that continues to be felt around the world. The Shortest History of Soccer provides a helpful compendium for history buffs and soccer fans alike, helping to shape our perception of economics, politics, and the kind of indescribable camaraderie that only sports can provide.