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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday, and for the first time since 1994, we're watching the men's World Cup on home turf. In honor of the global excitement, here are the best soccer movies, books, and shows to get you ready for opening weekend.
World Class: The Best Soccer Films
Whether you're a lifelong fan or just tuning in for the World Cup, these are the must-watch movies about the world’s most popular sport.
Goal!
Santiago Muñez (Kuno Becker) grows up kicking a ball in the streets of East LA, dreaming of a career that feels impossible from where he's standing. Until one day a scout spots him playing a pickup game and gives him an opportunity to try out for Newcastle United.
The full list:
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
ModernHaus SoHo
The Vibe: Creative luxe
The Location: New York City, NY
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Rooted in SoHo's artistic heritage, ModernHaus SoHo blends curated museum-worthy art with sleek Bauhaus-inspired design for a stay that feels both refined and thoughtfully modern. Its 114 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, reclaimed wood floors, and Le Labo bath amenities, all awash in natural light. Guests can unwind at JIMMY, the hotel's iconic 18th-floor rooftop bar and pool, or relax on the expansive outdoor terrace. With pet-friendly perks, stylish common spaces, and elevated dining, the hotel delivers a polished downtown escape with unmistakable SoHo character.
Extra Time: The Best Soccer Books
The best soccer books go well beyond the pitch, exploring the game's history, politics, and the obsessive psychology of fandom.
How Soccer Explains the World
by Franklin Foer
Journalist Franklin Foer travels to fanbases across Europe, South America, and the Middle East to argue that soccer, more than any other cultural force, explains how the modern world actually works. It was published in 2004, but it reads as if it were written today.
The full list:
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts
The Vibe: So-Cal, So Good
The Location: Santa Monica, CA
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Nestled in the heart of Santa Monica’s most coveted neighborhood, Oceana Santa Monica is mere steps away from the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Pier, and the quaint shops and cafes of Montana Avenue. Each of the seventy suites has one-of-a-kind designs featuring expansive living areas, private balconies overlooking the ocean, and even fully stocked in-room libraries! Plus, for those who’d rather eat and drink from the privacy of the hotel, the heated pool and two full-service restaurants are awaiting you. Plus, take advantage of complimentary oceanfront yoga classes, surf lessons, boat excursions, and even coastal horseback riding!
All Access: The Best Soccer Docs
From messy club takeovers to historic World Cup runs, these docs get closer to the game than any match broadcast ever could.
Diego Maradona
From growing up in Argentine poverty to becoming the 1986 World Cup champion, Asif Kapadia‘s documentary traces the full arc of the most mythologized figure in soccer history. Crafted from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage, it’s the closest thing we have to understanding who Maradona actually was.
The full list:
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