What do a whistle and a typewriter have in common with a pile of dirty dishes? Nothing at first glance, but if you go through Gavin Mortimer’s A History of Football in 100 Objects, you will realize that they, along with 98 other objects, played an important role in making football the world’s most popular sport.
This book not only explains how football became a global obsession from being just an English sport but also tells readers how the game developed into its current form. The author must be commended for his thorough research and brilliant selection of objects, which help him provide a quirky, unique take on the beautiful game.
From answering questions like how the first World Cup was organised in 1930 to why England didn’t play in the inaugural editions, this book takes you down memory lane in a way that both teaches you and gives you enough information to quiz your elders, especially those who believe they know all about the game.
It is interesting to know that it was the traffic signal that helped develop the red card and yellow card in football, and that the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen and recovered in 1966 before being handed to Brazil in 1970, which itself lost it to a robber. More interesting anecdotes featuring a television set, a typewriter, a mobile phone and a vuvuzela also appear in this book, which keeps surprising readers with new objects that seem unrelated to the game.
And if you didn’t know why Jules Rimet is known as the father of modern football, who designed the FIFA logo and why the organization took time to host the first Women’s World Cup, this book has all the answers. It might not have colorful pictures to keep you transfixed on the pages, but the text is written in such simple language that you might not even need a dictionary.
In my view, this book is something everyone should read during and after the World Cup because it will make many things clear while watching the matches. You will learn the history behind FIFA prizes like the Golden Ball and the FIFA Ballon d’Or. It’s your job to investigate and learn if you are willing to be part of the sport followed across the globe.
Published in Dawn, Young World, June 20th, 2026
