Soccernomics : why England loses, why Spain, Germany and Brazil win, and why the U.S., Japan, Australia--and even Iraq--are destined to become the kings of the world's most popular sport /Simon Kuper

Driving with a dashboard : in search of new truths about soccer --
The clubs : racism, stupidity, bad transfers, capital cities, the mirage of the NFL, and what actually happened in that penalty shoot-out in Moscow. Gentlemen prefer blonds : how to avoid silly mistakes in the transfer market ; The worst business in the world : why soccer clubs don't (and shouldn't) make money ; Need not apply : does English soccer discriminate against Black people? ; The economist's fear of the penalty kick : are penalties cosmically unfair, or only if you are Nicholas Anelka? ; The suburban newsagents : city sizes and soccer prizes ; Football versus football --
The fans : loyalty, suicides, happiness, and the country with the best supporters. The country that loves soccer most ; Are soccer fans polygamists? : a critique of the Nick Hornby model of fandom ; A fan's suicide notes : do people jump off buildings when their teams lose? ; Happiness : why hosting a World Cup is good for you --
Countries : rich and poor, Tom Thumb, Guus Ghiddink, Saddam, and the champions of the future. The curse of poverty : why poor countries are poor at sports ; Tom Thumb : the best little soccer country on earth ; Core to periphery : the future map of global soccer.

Soccernomics pioneers a new way of looking at soccer through meticulous, empirical analysis and incisive, witty commentary. The San Francisco Chronicle describes it as “the most intelligent book ever written about soccer.” This World Cup edition features new material, including a provocative examination of how soccer clubs might actually start making profits, why that<U+2019>s undesirable, and how soccer<U+2019>s never had it so good.