HOW TO BE A SOCCER STAR AND OTHER JOBS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

A former professional player offers a primer on the beautiful game’s players and support staff.

Illustrated with scenes of racially diverse but generic figures in active poses, Yankey’s book opens with a historical timeline that takes the sport to the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and makes mention of Olympic and Paralympic soccer. Her approach in general is to start at the very beginning—so, for example, she advises readers bent on being a star to watch matches, join a local team, listen to coaches, and develop confidence. From there, on the way to a concluding gallery of less common jobs, from agent and box office worker to team chef, the author provides quick descriptions of what players at each position do on the pitch (and in between matches), takes readers into the locker room, and describes kicking techniques, game rules, and soccer vocabulary. Related occupations include field officials and media commentators, among them “players-turned-pundits.” The tone is a bit dry, but along with giving men’s and women’s soccer roughly equal time in both the narrative and the visuals, this overview closes with suggestions for ways of getting involved in playing—or watching as the 2026 World Cup kicks off in June.

A thorough going-over of the sport, ideal for soccer newbies interested in jumping in.