Since its beginning in 1930 the World Cup has been the most popular sporting event in the world. A History of the World Cup, 1930-2010 chronicles this event through individual games since the first Cup. World Cup of Soccer: The Complete Guide explains more about the Cup including details about legendary players. If you want a peak behind the scenes of the World Cup, check out Deutschland, ein Sommermärchen (DVD), which relates the story of Germany's journey from training through the tournament in 2006.

Maybe you just want to learn the basics of how the game is played. Check out The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football or The Complete Encyclopedia of Soccer. Learn more in depth skills, tactics and strategies for soccer in Premier Soccer. 

Discover hidden contours in the world of soccer with Soccer and Philosophy: Beautiful Thoughts on a Beautiful Game and find out why great players are also considered to be great artists. Find out how soccer has almost become a religion in How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. Read about France's love relationship with the game in Soccer Empire: the World Cup and the Future of France.

Learn about the successes, failures, and power struggles of professional soccer in the Americas in Football in the Americas: Fútbol, Futebol, Soccer. Study the impact that Africa has had on the game in African Soccerscapes: How A Continent Changed the World's Game.

Soccer is a game that has united the world, while staying flexible to influences of the world. As we celebrate the World Cup 2014, we remember all the history that led up to this point.