We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event

by Roger Bennett

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller (RE)BORN IN THE USA and face of the wildly successful soccer media platform MEN IN BLAZERS, Roger Bennett, comes a joyous, big-hearted celebration of the World Cup from the 1970s onward, published in the ramp up to the 2026 tournament.

Every four years, millions of viewers all over the globe are united in the drama of the world’s biggest sporting event. Geopolitical turmoil, popular culture, clashes of custom and style all weave together on the pitch, making the World Cup about so much more than soccer. For fans, it is a series of triumphs, heartbreaks, and shocking twists of fate. For the players, single matches, single plays, single glorious moments can be life changing. In We are the World (Cup), Roger Bennett imbues his unmitigated love for and dedication to the game into a deeply researched and deeply personal distillation of every tournament he has experienced from the 1978 to 2022.

As founder of MEN IN BLAZERS, the largest independent soccer focused media company in North America, Roger has been at the front of the curve as the popularity of soccer has sky-rocketed in the United States. We are the World (Cup) offers an in-depth history of how a sport that was mocked and dismissed in the 70s and 80s has become so energized, and the role that he and MEN IN BLAZERS have played.

Beloved for his wit, humility, and unadulterated love of the game that the rest of the world calls “football” is a celebration of our global culture and the power of sport to unite us all.

Genres: Sports, Soccer, Nonfiction, Memoir

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Mai H.]

Non-fiction November TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dey Street Books

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a dedicated fan of the "Men in Blazers" since I first discovered them in 2014. I came to know Rog and Dave-O as they launched a flurry of podcast episodes about the World Cup that took place in Brazil that summer. Their love of the beautiful game, knowledgeable insights, and hilarious takes on every imaginable aspect of the World Cup captivated me and helped me enjoy that year's tournament more than ever before. Also, their passion for bringing together and building a community of soccer-loving Americans was contagious; when listening to their podcast, I felt like I was joining an exciting club and movement that was speeding ahead with adrenaline and momentum. Over the subsequent 12 years, I have listened to hours and hours of podcast episodes from the MiB media network, primarily the original podcast, but also newer shows (Vamos, The Women's Game, etc.). With their detailed explanations and careful guidance, I was introduced to the Premier League, came to understand the logistics of the league (and the whole English football pyramid), learned about each of the teams (as well as many managers and players), and, eventually, became a passionate fan of English soccer. All of this is to say that I am a huge fan of MiB and owe them much for the joy they have brought me over the past 12 years. I previously read the two MiB books ("Encyclopedia Blazertannica" and "Gods of Soccer") and Rog's previous book "(Re)Born in the USA", so I was very excited to learn about this new book. I also strongly believe that the World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world, so was excited to read about Rog's personal experiences with this incredible tournament. And the book did not disappoint! Hearing about how Rog experienced this once-every-four-years month of excitement helped me remember where I was for each tournament and how I enjoyed watching the games (at least since 1998 onward). It was so fun to read the summaries of each tournament, remember the key storylines and exhilarating moments, and relive the final games where the tournament champions were forever immortalized. An additional joy of this book was hearing Rog's perspective about how the MiB media network first started and then, over the subsequent years, grew and grew and grew until it became the massive success that it is today. And, just like when I listened to those first podcast episodes way back in 2014, I still find Rog's perspective, sense of humor, and absolute love of the game to be inspiring and beautiful. So, thanks MiB and, especially, Rog for promoting and encouraging the love of soccer in our great country and for bringing so much joy to so many fans like me through our collective shared experiences with this beautiful game.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC from Net Galley. This was the right book to read at the right time for me. I had just completed reading two books that highlighted dark times (Russia’s “lost generation” to Putinism and Argentina’s disappeared youth) that oddly felt like current events. However, this book is part narrative and biography that gets me excited for this summer and the World Cup coming to America.

Roger does an amazing job connecting the pride, passion, agony, heartbreak of soccer and the periods of time when the World Cup occurred. I appreciated how he highlighted the US team’s journey but also of England, Argentina, France, and other teams. It was great to go down memory lane.

I have been a follower of Men in Blazers for a while — attended a few live shows, listened to the podcast, etc. This book felt like an intimate look back at not only Rog’s journey but the journey we all have been on with US Soccer. As he recounted each Tournament, I felt myself going back to reflect on where I was and what I was doing when the games occurred.

I think this book will appeal to both avid sports fan and casual fans as we prepare for this summer’s tournament. Thank you to Rog for writing it and allowing us to US soccer fans to dream about a deep run in the World Cup.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recollections of World Cups experienced by Roger Bennett, one of the founders of the Men in Blazers soccer focused media company. Written with Bennett's endearing combination of love for the game of football, humor, desire for Americans to share his passion for the sport, and literary and pop culture references I really enjoyed this book. Stories of the author's life situations, the political events of the time, both around the world and at the venues, and the tournaments themselves are blended together to pain a picture of a time and place that I really enjoyed. This book is a great view of the impact of the World Cup from one man's perspective but the universality of the sentiments came through as well.

[Steven Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a magnificent book on the World Cup by the incomparable Roger Bennett, who might love America more than anyone since U2. Framing the World Cup with personal memories since his first in 1978, Rog tells a story of the world’s biggest event with history and humor. This book is accessible to the soccer novice and the fútbol fanatic, to the Premier League Morning +1 and the Fulham fan at your soccer bar.
I especially loved how Rog weaved in the narrative of the rise of Men in Blazers. Rog has lived a true American dream, and his personal story enriches this book. We Are the World (Cup) is his best book, a true triumph.
Love you, Rog. Courage.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's just me, but since Roger Bennett became a leading voice on soccer in this country, he has become more of a cheerleader, rather than the reliable pundit of years gone by who was willing to toss a few jabs. This is a tame look at World Cup history, filtered through the author's life. There's nothing much wrong here, but nothing that would make you go back and read it again.

[Liam Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuine self portrait of a man that loves a game that brings so many together. Vulnerable, honest, hopeful, all the good words you can use.

Laughed, cried, remembered my own experiences with friends and family of the World Cup moments recounted.

Will be recommending to everyone I talk with between now and the start of the World Cup.

[Birgitta Taylor-Lillquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will continue to read anything Roger Bennett puts out! I have been a fan of MiB for years, and the combination of Roger’s writing and the magic of the World Cup make this a great preview for the upcoming World Cup. It is also a way to feel some optimism and American pride amidst a dark and troubling time for our country.

[Adam Parrilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely likable primer for the semi-casual fan. Having read another of Bennet’s book I sorta knew what I was in for. This is part memoir married to a history lesson of each Cup from 1978-2022. A great refresher ahead of the North American World Cup this summer. 👍

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply, delightful, and elegant…and maybe a few cheeky elbows mixed in. An awesome journey through the World Cup. And a reminder that yes it still is a game and that game is a joy.

[Teddy Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storytelling