World Cup fever is a small, but noticeable element in The Kingfisher Football Encyclopedia. Generous in scope (144 pages) and passionate in enthusiasm, it covers the history of the game and has sections on the “brain game”, fans, dreams and nightmares. Fantastic Football covers similar ground, but on a smaller scale. There are lots of tables (international caps and goal-scorers, earnings, penalty shoot-outs), and quirky details on unusual goalkeepers. The encyclopedia costs pound;16.99 from Kingfisher, and Fantastic Football costs pound;7.99 from OUP.

www.kingfisherpub.comwww.oup.co.uk