It's officially time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
Sharing 14 great kidlit titles featuring soccer-loving kids from around the world. Perfect additions for library collections and K-12 classrooms.
Picture Books
Soccer Star - Brazil
Just in time for the World Cup, an inspiring story of a Brazilian boy who dreams of being a soccer star — and the sister who steps in to help his team win a game.
Author: Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: Renato Alarcao
Publishing Date: April 8, 2014
Ages: 3-8 years
Mina vs. the Monsoon - India
The perfect antidote to boredom on a rainy day with chai, samosas, and SOCCER! A charming picture book for sport-loving readers with glimpses into village life in India, highlighting the important role played by weather in this part of the world.
Author: Rukhsanna Guidroz
Illustrator: Debasmita Dasgupta
Publishing Date: December 1, 2018
Ages: 5-7 years
Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails - Inuit
When Kataujaq's mother dies, her grandmother tells her the legend of the northern lights: the souls of the dead are engaged in a lively game of soccer, just as they did when they were living. Watching the northern lights brings comfort to Kataujaq as she thinks of her mother playing soccer in the sky. A beautiful story honoring Inuit traditions and recommended for children struggling with loss.
Author: Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Illustrator: Vladyana Krykorka
Publishing Date: August 1993
Ages: 6-9 years
Goal! - South Africa
Celebrate soccer—and the World Cup! In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation size soccer ball. They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to beat them at their own game?
Author: Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: A.G. Ford
Publishing Date: April 10, 2012
Ages: 6-9 years
Soccer Fence: The Soccer Fence: A story of friendship, hope, and apartheid in South Africa - South Africa
This poignant story of friendship artfully depicts a brief but critical moment in South Africa’s history and the unique role that sports can play in bringing people together.
Author: Phil Bildner
Illustrator: Jesse Joshua Watson
Publishing Date: March 13, 2014
Ages: 6-8 years
The Field - West Indies
“Vini! Come! The field calls!” cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pick-up soccer (futbol) game. Children–young and old–players and spectators come running—bringing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport.
Author: Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Publishing Date: March 13, 2014
Ages: 2-6 years
Soccer Cousins - Mexico
David travels to Mexico to watch his cousin Miguel's soccer tournament, and when a player gets injured, David joins the team for the match of his life, in a story that also weaves in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Author: Jean Marzollo
Illustrator: Irene Trivas
Publishing Date: October 1, 1997
Ages: 4-8 years
Happy Like Soccer - U.S.A.
Chapter Books
Yasmin: The Soccer Star - U.S.A.
Author: Saadia Faruqi
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Publishing Date: December 31, 2020
Age: 5-8 years
Graphic Novels & Middle Grade
Almost Sunset - U.S.A.
In a contemporary middle grade graphic novel debut that Gene Luen Yang calls "funny, endearing, and an intimate look at a Muslim family," Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life. Perfect for fans of Swim Team and Chunky.
Author: Wahab Algarmi
Publishing Date: February 18, 2025
Ages: 8-12 years
The Beautiful Game - U.S.A.
A powerful story about family, fútbol, and playing like a girl, perfect for fans of Front Desk, The Academy, and, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret from the award-winning author of Furia.
Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
Publishing Date: September 17, 2024
Age: 9+ years
Grow Up, Luchy Zapata - U.S.A.
A funny, relatable middle school drama about two Colombian American girls who have always been BFFs—until sixth grade turns everything upside down.
Author:
Publishing Date: July 23, 2024
Age: 8-12 years
Stealing the Score - U.S.A.
The World Cup is coming to town! Soccer superfans Ethan, Sasha, and Mateo are thrilled that the biggest sporting event in the world is coming to their backyard. When a contest offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend the World Cup is announced, they are all ready to do whatever it takes to win. To do so, they must complete a scavenger hunt throughout Miami to find a replica pair of the lucky cleats worn by their favorite player, El Botín (or The Boot).
Author: Sylvia Liu
Publishing Date: February 3, 2026
Age: 8-12 years
Young Adult Books
Furia: A Novel - Argentina
A powerful contemporary YA for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.
Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
Publishing Date: September 15, 2020
Age: 14-18 years