40+ Best Soccer Books for Kids – Get Ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Check out the Reading Eggs Library for fun and fascinating children's books about soccer and much more. Free Trial
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off this June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. If your child loves soccer (or football, as it's known across the UK), it's the perfect chance to turn their excitement for the tournament into time spent reading.
Kids read more, and read better, when they read about things they care about. That's the heart of reading for pleasure: letting children choose books that match their interests, then watching their confidence and vocabulary grow alongside their love of the story. Pairing the World Cup with a great soccer book is one of the simplest ways to spark that habit.
We've pulled together over 40 of the best soccer books for kids from the Reading Eggs Library, organized by reading age. From fun fiction to player biographies and how-to-play guides, there's a title here for every young soccer fan.
The books listed below can be accessed for free with a 30-day free trial for parents and homeschoolers (teachers can sign up here). You'll also unlock the complete online library of over 4,000 kids’ books and get full access to our multi-award winning reading programs.
Once you've set up your Reading Eggs account, click on the links below to access the books. Alternatively, you can browse through all our children's books about soccer directly in the Library.
Non-fiction children's books about soccer
This book covers the basics of the game, soccer gear (kit), ball skills (kicking, dribbling, passing, trapping), special kicks and protecting the goal.
22 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 1060L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
13 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 270L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 380L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 400L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 410L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 470L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
Learn how strikers function as part of a soccer team and contribute to the sport’s excitement.
22 pages
Reading age: 10
Lexile: 950L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
Learn how goalkeepers (goalies) function as part of a soccer team and contribute to the sport’s excitement.
22 pages
Reading age: 11
Lexile: 1040L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
The Goal series brings the excitement of the game to the page for reading age 8+. Titles in the series include A Very Odd Sort of Job, Be the Ref…, Get Fit!, At the Top, We Can Win, Fans, and Football Crazy.
Soccer stars and famous football players
Read about iconic players who shaped the modern game, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kewell, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham.
45 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 1100L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
The story of John Utaka's journey from Nigeria to the Premier League.
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 500L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
Rachel Yankey is a star. At 16 she was playing for Arsenal and has played for England. 'Yanks' is a winner!
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 530L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
Not only is Rachel Yankey ('Yanks') a top women's footballer, she's a coach too.
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 500L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
Megan Rapinoe is an Olympic gold medallist and Women’s World Cup Soccer champion. She's known for her skill on the field and her advocacy off it. Learn what makes Rapinoe one of the most influential players in the women's game.
30 pages
Reading age: 9
Lexile: 810L
Read-aloud feature: No
Non-Fiction
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Score a winning goal for your child's reading with a free trial of Reading Eggs for ages 2–13. You'll unlock the full Library of over 4,000 e-books, plus our complete suite of online learning programs: Reading Eggs Junior, Reading Eggs, Reading Eggspress, Fast Phonics and Mathseeds – covering reading, phonics, math and more!
Fiction and chapter books about soccer for kids
The Lions and Monkeys play soccer after school. The Monkeys never win.
25 pages
Reading age: 6
Lexile: 300L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Will's game changes the day he puts on his new red shin pads. Suddenly he can't stop scoring. Is he just playing better, or is there something special about the pads?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 220L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Big Ed is new to the Rams team. But is he a team player or is he rubbish?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 290L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Tess is a new kid. She wants to play, but can she get the ball?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 300L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Sam and Dan play for the Jags. Sam reckons he is the best player. But who will get the goal on Cup match day?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 330L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Sol, Kit and Ben are on a rocket. It can be dull, but football keeps them fit.
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 340L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Amir starts at a new school and finds everything strange. That is, until he takes his football to school.
17 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 350L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Vic thinks he is cool. He plays tricks on the lads, and he fools the coach, too! But will they trust him when it matters?
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 400L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Meet the Rockets. They support the Sunset Rockets football team. But one day they get into real trouble with the coach. Will they be able to see the team play?
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 420L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Zak is a good player, but all his team do is moan and fight. Can he show them he can score a goal?
15 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 450L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
It’s three-all with five minutes to play. The match is on TV, and Amba and Matt are in the commentator’s box. Will there be more goals?
19 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 470L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Planet Earth meet Aliens United in a crunch match. But the aliens play dirty. Will the ref stop the game?
19 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 540L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
The On the Ball fictional series about soccer has six titles (for reading age 8+): Always Last, Goal Shoot, The Team, Matt, First Match and The Champions.
Chapter books
Deano was a star soccer player at her school in Jamaica, but things are so different at her American school. The boys have a “No Girls Allowed” rule and she hates it! But Jay is different from the other boys in her class. He reads with his fingers and has a cool dog he gets to bring to school. And he loves soccer, too! There’s just one thing Deano can’t figure out: How can Jay play soccer if he can’t see?
41 pages
7 chapters
Reading age: 6
Lexile: 390L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Luis knows he is the best soccer player at his school because he always scores the most goals. Now he gets to play on a real team! He can’t wait to show his teammates and coach how good he is. The problem is, no one seems impressed. In fact, they seem like they don’t want him on the field. Can Luis show his team that he’s a team player before the big game?
39 pages
6 chapters
Reading age: 6
Lexile: 550L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Harry is desperate to score during his school’s soccer game and impress his teammates. His plan does not go well, until he finds a wall with magical powers. Suddenly he makes all kinds of exciting discoveries.
47 pages
5 chapters
Reading age: 7
Lexile: 620L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Toby loves soccer but he’s not very good at it. His team has lost every game. When he meets his hero – soccer player Sam Elliott – things start to change and the season’s not over yet.
55 pages
10 chapters
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 530L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Football Frenzy – A Rex Jones Story
Defeat for the school football team seems certain when Rex and his mates are zapped into a clash between City and United. City want to stay in the top flight and it doesn’t look good. Can Rex, Carl and Dave save them when United Captain starts to play rough?
32 pages
8 chapters
Reading age: 10
Lexile: 640L
Read-aloud feature: No
Fiction
Tip for parents: A reading journal is a simple way to build the habit of reading. Help your child jot down the soccer books they read, what they thought of each one, and which player or character they liked best. A short list of finished books does wonders for a young reader's confidence. The Reading Eggs Reading Journal is a personal space for your child to record all the books they've read and track their reading progress. Check out our article for more ideas on how to celebrate your child's progress with reading rewards.
Turn soccer fever into a reading habit
The Reading Eggs Library has over 4,000 e-books on soccer, sport and much more. Whether your child loves fiction or nonfiction, comic books or novels, there are books to suit every reading level and interest – the kind of choice that turns reading into something kids actually want to do. Score a winning goal for your child's reading with a free trial of Reading Eggs.
Soccer books with read-aloud audio
9 pages
Reading age: 5
Lexile: 20L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
14 pages
Reading age: 6
Lexile: 200L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
31 pages
Reading age: 6
Lexile: 200L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
Soccer star Enrico Empery is known as “the Emperor” of the Bootsville Ultras. His jealous teammate gives him a very special soccer uniform – one that only the most amazing players can see …
30 pages
Reading age: 7
Lexile: 580L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
25 pages
Reading age: 7
Lexile: 790L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
Kick it, nod it or tap it. Just get the ball into the net!
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 70L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
Go, go, go! Can we get the ball into the net?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 130L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
Kev is the kit man. He has all the kit. Top job, Kev!
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 140L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
The TV man has to go up so high. But he will not miss a kick.
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 150L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
The ball has a big day and it is all on TV, too! But how did it get so ripped? Let it tell you the story.
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 180L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
Dan plays for the Jets but he is so fed up. He is now a sub! Will he get to kick the ball?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 200L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Fiction
Can Linvoy Primus get ready to play without a mix up?
11 pages
Reading age: 8
Lexile: 240L
Read-aloud feature: Yes
Non-Fiction
Explore the Reading Eggs Library
Every book in this list lives in the Reading Eggs Library – a curated digital library of over 4,000 e-books for kids. Your child can pick titles by reading age, topic or genre, earn golden eggs for each book they finish and revisit favorites whenever they want. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, it's the perfect moment to let your young fan loose on a shelf full of soccer stories – and let them discover what else they love to read.
For more ideas on building a reading habit at home, see our guide on how to make reading fun for your child.
Get FREE access to 4,000+ books and hundreds of fun learning games
Score a winning goal for your child's reading with a free trial of Reading Eggs for ages 2–13. You'll unlock the full Library of over 4,000 e-books, plus our complete suite of online learning programs: Reading Eggs Junior, Reading Eggs, Reading Eggspress, Fast Phonics and Mathseeds – covering reading, phonics, math and more!
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