Veteran soccer writer Michael Lewis has just released a self‑published book titled “Around the World Cup in 40 Years,” a sweeping reflection on four decades spent chasing the sport’s most iconic moments. The work weaves together personal anecdotes, historic match reports and the evolving narrative of soccer in the United States.
A Lifetime of World Cup Moments
Lewis recalls watching the 1978 final on a giant screen in Rochester, New York, and later pointing a rooftop antenna to catch the 1982 tournament in Spain. He was present for Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986 and still remembers Landon Donovan’s crucial strike against Algeria in 2010, moments that have defined his career.
Over the years Lewis has contributed to outlets such as The Guardian, ESPN, The Washington Post and Soccer America, earning the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award. His byline has also appeared in The Athletic, CBS, Forbes and FourFourTwo, while his long‑standing relationship with Suffolk Times and New York Daily News has kept him rooted in local soccer coverage.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup, to be co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, presents both excitement and apprehension. Lewis voices concerns about the expanded format and rising ticket prices, yet he believes the tournament will further cement soccer’s place in American culture, echoing the sport’s growing footprint across North America.
Throughout his narrative Lewis pays tribute to a pantheon of legends — from Pelé and Johan Cruyff to Lionel Messi, Christian Pulisic and Tim Howard — while also recalling the careers of Rafik Saifi, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Rais M’Bolhi, David Beckham, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and many others who have shaped the modern game.