Africa United: Soccer, Passion, Politics, and the First World Cup in Africa

In Africa United, journalist and former Africa Correspondent for The Independent, Steve Bloomfield, travels across thirteen countries — from Cairo to Cape Town — to explore the powerful connection between soccer and African identity. Through conversations with players, devoted fans, politicians, and even rebel leaders, Bloomfield reveals how the game has shaped communities, influenced politics, and united nations across a diverse and complex continent.

Set against the build-up to the historic 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa — the first ever held on African soil — this wide-ranging and insightful book examines both the joy of the sport and the deeper social and political forces surrounding it. Blending travel writing, cultural commentary, and sports history, Africa United offers a compelling look at how soccer became both a symbol of hope and a stage for global recognition.

Paperback, Very Good