Crowds cheering, soccer balls flying, and kids suddenly wanting to learn everything about the World Cup? It’s such a fun time to lean into their curiosity with one of my favorite learning tools: books!
Because truly… a great story can make learning feel magical.
This collection of World Cup-inspired and soccer books for kids comes straight from our Soccer World Tournament Family Unit Study. Each book is filled with exciting stories, fascinating facts, inspiring athletes, and plenty of soccer fun that helps bring the spirit of the World Cup right into your home.
These books are perfect for cozy read-alouds, independent reading, and sparking meaningful conversations as you explore the world’s most popular sport together.
Free DIY Soccer Game Printable
Before we dive into these fun soccer books for kids, I have a special gift for you! Grab your free printable DIY Soccer Game – a hands-on activity that lets kids build, play, and explore the excitement of the World Cup right at home. Simply enter your email address below, and this fun soccer activity will be sent straight to your inbox.
Soccer Books for Kids
Now, below you’ll find 10 of our favorite World Cup inspired and soccer books for kids – perfect for learning about the game, exploring inspiring athletes, and bringing the excitement of The World Cup to life one page at a time.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Kids’ Handbook by Alex Rice
The official kids’ companion guide to the FIFA men’s soccer World Cup 2026-filled with tournament facts, team profiles, top players, stats, on-the-page activities and fill-in chart.
As excitement builds in the run-up to the world’s greatest soccer competition, the official 2026 FIFA World Cup Kids’ Handbook provides the perfect World Cup companion for young football fans. This book is bursting with information about the host nations (USA/Canada/Mexico), providing an overview of the stadiums, FIFA World Cup facts, and statistics, plus a rundown of top teams, star players and much more.
Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds by Ian Wright
Which countries don’t have rivers? Which ones have North Korean embassies? Who drives on the “wrong” side of the road? How many national economies are bigger than California’s? And where can you still find lions in the wild? You’ll learn answers to these questions and many more in Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds. This one-of-a-kind atlas is packed with eye-opening analysis (Which nations have had female leaders?), whimsical insight (Where can’t you find a McDonald’s?), and surprising connections that illuminate the contours of culture, history, and politics.
The Flag Book by Moira Butterfield
In The Flag Book, Lonely Planet Kids introduces you to the flags of every country in the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and tells you what their design, colors, and images represent, along with lots of other incredible facts.
Everything Soccer by Blake Hoena
Score! Finally, a book that explains everything about soccer — a favorite team sport played by millions of kids around the globe. From patches of dirt to gleaming turf, soccer is a game for all. Meet soccer’s superstars. Learn the rules. Get kitted up, get out on the field, and show off your fancy footwork.
Soccer Smarts for Kids by Andrew Latham
This soccer coaching book for kids includes:
- A range of basic and more advanced techniques so kids can practice and progress at their own pace.
- Diagrams and illustrations that explain how to pass the ball, stay onside, get in scoring position, and more.
- Player profiles that highlight six superstar soccer players, like Lionel Messi and Mia Hamm.
Soccer Biographies for Kids by Tanya Keith
Soccer (or football) is a popular and beloved sport all over the world. Discover the most talented goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards with Soccer Biographies for Kids. This lineup shows you what it takes to be one of the greats, with the amazing stories, stats, and achievements of the best players on the pitch.
A Taste of the World: Celebrating Global Flavors by Rowena Scherer
Take a culinary trip around the world without leaving home! This children’s cookbook invites the whole family to explore new flavors and cultures through over 60 recipes tailored for cooking enthusiasts of all ages.
The World Atlas of Football Stadiums by John Gillard
This superbly illustrated guide tells the history of the Beautiful Game through the stories behind the world’s most intriguing football (aka soccer) stadiums—from the most dramatic to the most remote to the great urban arenas.
It’s a Numbers Game! Soccer by Jr. Jame Buckley
Whether you call it soccer or football, “the beautiful game” wouldn’t be the popular game it is without numbers. From the clock counting up the seconds to positioning your feet at the right angle for the perfect dribble, this book reveals the ways digits and math are part of the game. Read about soccer greats from all over the world racking up points, championships, and even Olympic medals. Learn how goalies use geometry to guard the net and check out cool graphics that show the probability that a goalie will be able to stop a penalty kick.
The World’s Game by Yamile Saied Méndez
Soccer and the World Cup bring people from all over the world together. Witness the energy, passion, and glory of the world’s most popular sport, on and off the field. As one match happens in the stadium, one family gathers to watch the game at home. See the players leave it all on the field and the family watch enthusiastically on tv. With bright, colorful art and lively dialogue, this uplifting and heartfelt story is a love letter to the sport, the fans, and the communities we make. Get ready to jump, holler, and cheer for “the beautiful game”!
Bringing the World Cup Home
And there you have it – a fun-filled collection of World Cup-inspired books for kids! These stories are such a wonderful way to extend learning, build excitement, and turn everyday reading moments into meaningful experiences.
If your children are eager to keep exploring, these books are part of our Soccer World Tournament Family Unit Study, where hands-on activities, engaging discussions, and creative learning all come together beautifully. You can learn more about the 10 topics and hands-on activities included in the unit study right here.
So find some shade under your favorite tree, pick a book, and enjoy exploring the exciting world of soccer together.
Soccer World Tournament Family Unit Study
Don’t miss out on the fun – grab your copy today in the How Wee Learn Shop:
https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-soccer-world-tournament
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Thanks so much for reading, and happy cheering!
xo
Sarah
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