Shankly\u2019s remark is perhaps one of the most famous quotes in the history of the sport, plastered on countless posters and signs. But what is it about soccer\u2014football\u2014calcio<\/em>\u2014futebol<\/em>\u2014f\u00fatbol<\/em>, etc \u2026 that excites so many, and stirs irrational passions around the globe? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201cbeautiful game\u201d is the world\u2019s most popular sport. The men\u2019s FIFA World Cup is the largest televised\/streamed sporting event \u2014 viewed by over 3 billion people every four years. Women\u2019s soccer has also seen enormous growth over the last decades. In our living rooms, EA\u2019s FIFA series (now renamed EA SportsFC) remains a top-selling video game. Here, in the United States, more children play soccer than any other sport, and leagues flourish. Major League Soccer is almost thirty years old, the USL is introducing promotion and relegation, and Appalachiah FC has been a hit in Boone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de Football Association <\/em>(FIFA) markets the World Cup as an event to bridge cultures and unite the world. In 2026, the tournament will return to North America. The host nations\u2014M\u00e9xico, the United States, and Canada\u2014are intimately tied throughout history, but their relationships can sometimes be strained. Will the 2026 edition produce moments of fraternal celebration, or deepen political divides? <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this history course, we will examine soccer as a field of research. Students will analyze primary and secondary source materials, discuss sports history scholarship, explore multimedia sources, and, ultimately, research a topic that situates f\u00fatbol<\/em> in world history.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Oh, and we\u2019ll watch some games (i.e. primary source analysis) ahead of the World Cup!]<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Luckily, on the field you can still see, even if only once in a long while, some insolent rascal who sets aside the script and commits the blunder of dribbling past the entire opposing side, the referee and the crowd in the stands, all for the carnal delight of embracing the forbidden adventure of freedom.<\/em>“<\/p>\nEduardo Galeano, Soccer in Sun and Shadow<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/worldcuphistory.rwanysibaja.com\/esp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/soccer-shoe.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/worldcuphistory.rwanysibaja.com\/esp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tango-ball.png\")
Depending on the makeup of the class, readings and class discussions can be offered both<\/strong> in English and Spanish<\/strong> … perfect for native Spanish speakers and Spanish majors!<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/worldcuphistory.rwanysibaja.com\/esp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/maradona.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n