How to Win the World Cup

'A brilliant new perspective' - talkSPORT
'Fascinating' - Barry Davies
WITH NEW AND UPDATED CONTENT FOR THE MEN'S FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
THIS INSIGHTFUL INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE MINDSETS AND UNBELIEVABLE APPROACHES OF THE COACHES SEEKING FOOTBALL'S ULTIMATE PRIZE
Only 21 managers have guided their team to World Cup glory, so what are their secrets? They may silently plot on the bench or manically gesticulate from the sidelines, but what can coaches really do to influence their team's performance? In this book, find out the tactical innovations, strategies as well as the bizarre superstitions that managers have employed in the quest for that iconic trophy.
With new and updated content for this edition, the book also features insights from Alexi Lalas, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Pierre Littbarski, Roberto Martínez and Mick McCarthy.

Chris Evans is a football writer whose work has appeared in the Guardian, Independent, FourFourTwo magazine and Daily Telegraph. Chris is the author of Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon. @ChrisEvansWrite

Prologue
1. A Different World: International Management
2. Starting from the Bottom: Minnows
3. Looking into the Abyss: Qualification
4. In the Line of Duty: Danger
5. Let's Get this Party Started: Hosts
6. Race Against Time: Late Appointments
7. Breaking the Mould: First Timers
8. The Perfect Recipe: Selection
9. Picking a General: Captains and Leaders
10. A Home from Home: The Right Vibe
11. A Shot in the Balls: Big Controversies
12. Don't Mention the War: Rivalries
13. Miracle Workers: Underdogs
14. Now or Never: Golden Generations
15. Tackling the Enigmas: Star Players
16. Finding an Edge: Big Games
17. Managers on the Spot: Penalty Shoot-Outs
18. Becoming Champions: The Final
19. The Winners' Curse: Retaining the Trophy
20. How to Win the World Cup
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Index