With barely a week for the FIFA World Cup to kick off, THE GUIDE did some serious browsing to discover five varied titles that salute and satiate your fix for the world's most popular sport

Argentina's Lionel Messi challenges for the ball with France's Lassana Diarra, during a friendly soccer match between the two teams, at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, Southern France

Seeing Red by Graham Poll:

The Ball is Roundu00a0- A Global History of Soccer by David Goldblatt:

How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer: Apart from the United States, soccer is worshipped in countries like South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. It's often an expression of the socio-economic, cultural and racial composition. Foer's book looks at fascinating approaches adopted by soccer-playing nations, and its direct impact on world trade and Western thought processes.

The Fix by Declan Hill: The Fix, a fiction paperback is one the most hard-hitting tales about turning the lid off sports corruption in a generation. Its fast-paced plot leaves the reader intrigued till the last page, telling the story of an investigative journalist who steps into unraveling the world of match-fixing in professional soccer.

Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathon Wilson: This modern classic traces the world history of tactics and looks at some of the most crucial innovators in the game, from modern pioneers to its early wizards. This insightful book takes a look at legends and thinkers who shaped the game through the 20th and 21st century.

Listed books can be ordered on Amazon.com

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels