The Game at the End of the World: Villainous Referees, Communist Bakers, the Secret Women's World Cup, and a Goalkeeper's Last Stand

by Juan Villoro

Playful, thoughtful, and evergreen, The Game at the End of the World reaches toward the touchstones of civilization while staying rooted in a sport that has no borders or boundaries.

Soccer fans will rejoice at this all-new volume of crackling, timely essays from the author of God Is Tackling the Giants, Villains, Triumphs, and Scandals of the World’s Favorite Game. Juan Villoro explores the ancient origins, god-like star players, exhilarating highlights, and diehard devotees of a sport whose significance extends well beyond scoring goals. More than a game, soccer is a form of connection. More than physicality, it values strategy, creativity, and mental fortitude. It is a sport without an ideal athlete, where the passion of crowds is crucial.

As a prolific writer and frequent attendee of World Cup games around the world, Juan Villoro draws on his own long memory and rich understanding of soccer's cultural history to inspire readers, players, and fans long after the final whistle blows. With a journalist's quick-hitting pen and a philosopher's expansive outlook, he has produced a collection for curious newcomers and lifelong football buffs alike.

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Juan Villoro is Mexico's preeminent novelist. Born in Mexico City in 1956, he is the author of half a dozen prize-winning novels and is also a journalist. In 2004, he received the Herralde Prize for his novel El testigo (The Witness).