The FIFA World Cup is undoubtedly football’s greatest tournament. ‘The World Cup: A Short History’ chronicles, as the title implies, the history of the competition, tournament by tournament.

Written by History In An Hour’s founder, Rupert Colley, The World Cup: A Short History takes the reader from Jules Rimet’s vision and the inaugural tournament in 1930 to the current 2018 World Cup in Russia. Along the way we meet the illustrious names of yesteryear – from Leonidas, Puskas and Fontaine via Pele, Beckenbauer and Cruyff to the great players of recent years.

The World Cup: A Short History includes a list of records (the youngest, the oldest, the fastest, the most, etc), and a chapter on the Women’s FIFA World Cup.

Plus, test your knowledge with the 40-question ultimate World Cup Quiz.

Whether you call it football or soccer, ‘The World Cup: A Short History is a must for a superb overview to the ultimate sporting spectacle.

Read an extract from The World Cup: A Short History.

Try our World Cup quiz.