Explore the profound connection between international football and global conflict in Football and War: World Cup Rivalries, Football History and the Geopolitics. This book delves into how centuries of conflict, conquest, and competition have shaped the emotional intensity behind the world’s fiercest football rivalries, proving that for more than a century, international football has carried the weight of war, empire, migration, borders, religion, politics, and national pride.

When nations meet on the pitch, history often travels with them. Discover the geopolitical fault lines and unforgettable controversies that turn matches into stages for national identity, memory, and even revenge.

• Examines how ninety minutes on the pitch relates to centuries of battlefield history.
• Uncovers the roots of major international rivalries forged by wars, border disputes, colonial scars, and religious divisions.
• Details World Cup clashes and controversies loaded with political meaning.
• Focuses on the human stories of players, managers, and supporters caught in high-stakes matches.

This volume covers fifteen international rivalries across the globe:

• Europe: England v Scotland, England v Germany, Netherlands v Germany, France v Italy, Portugal v Spain
• The Balkans: Serbia v Croatia
• The Americas: Argentina v Brazil, Argentina v England, USA v Mexico, Chile v Peru, El Salvador v Honduras (the “Football War”)
• Asia and the Middle East: Japan v South Korea, Saudi Arabia v Iran, Iran v Iraq
• Africa: [Rivalries listed in source data are incomplete]

• Authors: Andy Dalziel and Shantanu Gupta
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Print Length: 236 pages
• Publication Date: June 3, 2026
• Series: Greatest Sporting Rivalries
• Dimensions: 152x14x229mm (Approx. 6 x 0.55 x 9 inches)
• Item Weight: 417 g
• ISBN-13: 979-8199620468

Go beyond tactics and trophies to uncover why some football matches feel like battles before the ball is even kicked. This essential read for FIFA enthusiasts and history buffs explores the deeper forces shaping global football contests.