LEADING THE WAY IN SOCCER BOOKS WORLDWIDE
#1 Amazon Author "Best Seller in Sociology of Sports" | Nielsen BookScan Bestselling Author
#1 Amazon Author "Best Seller in Sociology of Sports" | Nielsen BookScan Bestselling Author
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YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2026 WORLD CUP
By Shane Stay Published April 27, 2026 Meyer & Meyer Sport Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup takes the reader through the globally renowned FIFA World Cup, providing in-depth details on all 48 teams, star players, coaches, team strategies, expert game analysis, and more! This is the perfect book for the enthusiast as well as anyone new to watching the sport. The 2026 World Cup is the first to be hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Author Shane Stay delves into the World Cup’s historic background, explaining not only why these games are so exciting, but also what the viewer should watch for as the matches unfold. He takes the reader through the stadiums and explains team strategies, formations, styles of play. He provides background on all the star players and teams, and even makes a few predictions for the games’ outcomes. Enhance the experience of watching the world’s most popular tournament with the extra details and fun anecdotes provided in Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup. BUY THE BOOK PAPERBACK EBOOK AMAZON TBA B&N WATERSTONES |
QUICK NOTES:
(As World Cup 2026 Progresses!)
Group Stage
6-17-26
Portugal vs. DR Congo
1-1
A quick start for Portugal saw it get a 1-0 lead.
Better short passing from Portugal than years past; it's a team that is much-improved with poise, organization, and patience. Perhaps Portugal can get a World Cup. Is that in its near-future? Found at center forward, Ronaldo is seen doing one-touch passes that keep the flow going; he's been criticized in the past for demanding too much time on the ball; perhaps things have changed.
When DR Congo drew even at 1-1 you may have thought the game was a tie and it was.
A good result for DR Congo. As for Portugal, who was expected to win, a strategy moving forward might include a few lineup adjustments to enhance its attack.
Englad vs. Croatia
4-2
Big win for England. Off to a good start.
Croatia has some questions to answer. Is it the same Croatia we've seen in recent years or is this the end of an era? Croatia will need to present solutions in its second game, a big one if it wants to advance to the elimination rounds.
Ghana vs. Panama
1-0
Panama has a nice touch, Reebok uniforms. You don't see that too often these days.
Ghana has Puma uniforms.
There was a time the NFL was sponsored by Reebok and Puma.
As for soccer, I'd like to see more Lotto and Diadora.
In terms of this particular game, which ended 0-0 at half, it ended up being a lively affair that saw Ghana earn a 1-0 victory. The yellow jerseys got an important win, one that I expected from the outset. I'm not super-psyched about Panama's chances in general as I've watch it over the years in CONCACAF attempt to earn respect against the likes of Mexico, Jamaica, and the United States. While Panama can be feisty, you'll tend to see half-chances on goal and missed opportunities. All the same, Panama is a side that might have an upset in store. However, Ghana took advantage of the situation and got important points.
Colombia vs. Uzbekistan
3-1
At the very end, with what seemed like a foul, the play continued, a Colombian winger gathered himself quickly and sent in a cross that scored on a header giving Colombia a 3-1 lead. With time running out, an Uzbekistan player absolutely crushed a one-time shot from outside the box that splattered against the crossbar...had to be the strongest shot of the tournament.
Excerpt
"US Has a Challenge with Australia"
Published with Cardinal Publishers Group
By Shane Stay
The upcoming game for the US against Australia will be telling. June 19, 2026. That’s a big one. The place will be rocking as it takes place in Seattle, one of the best (and loudest) places for a game anywhere in North America...
(As World Cup 2026 Progresses!)
Group Stage
6-17-26
Portugal vs. DR Congo
1-1
A quick start for Portugal saw it get a 1-0 lead.
Better short passing from Portugal than years past; it's a team that is much-improved with poise, organization, and patience. Perhaps Portugal can get a World Cup. Is that in its near-future? Found at center forward, Ronaldo is seen doing one-touch passes that keep the flow going; he's been criticized in the past for demanding too much time on the ball; perhaps things have changed.
When DR Congo drew even at 1-1 you may have thought the game was a tie and it was.
A good result for DR Congo. As for Portugal, who was expected to win, a strategy moving forward might include a few lineup adjustments to enhance its attack.
Englad vs. Croatia
4-2
Big win for England. Off to a good start.
Croatia has some questions to answer. Is it the same Croatia we've seen in recent years or is this the end of an era? Croatia will need to present solutions in its second game, a big one if it wants to advance to the elimination rounds.
Ghana vs. Panama
1-0
Panama has a nice touch, Reebok uniforms. You don't see that too often these days.
Ghana has Puma uniforms.
There was a time the NFL was sponsored by Reebok and Puma.
As for soccer, I'd like to see more Lotto and Diadora.
In terms of this particular game, which ended 0-0 at half, it ended up being a lively affair that saw Ghana earn a 1-0 victory. The yellow jerseys got an important win, one that I expected from the outset. I'm not super-psyched about Panama's chances in general as I've watch it over the years in CONCACAF attempt to earn respect against the likes of Mexico, Jamaica, and the United States. While Panama can be feisty, you'll tend to see half-chances on goal and missed opportunities. All the same, Panama is a side that might have an upset in store. However, Ghana took advantage of the situation and got important points.
Colombia vs. Uzbekistan
3-1
At the very end, with what seemed like a foul, the play continued, a Colombian winger gathered himself quickly and sent in a cross that scored on a header giving Colombia a 3-1 lead. With time running out, an Uzbekistan player absolutely crushed a one-time shot from outside the box that splattered against the crossbar...had to be the strongest shot of the tournament.
Excerpt
"US Has a Challenge with Australia"
Published with Cardinal Publishers Group
By Shane Stay
The upcoming game for the US against Australia will be telling. June 19, 2026. That’s a big one. The place will be rocking as it takes place in Seattle, one of the best (and loudest) places for a game anywhere in North America...
Now Available for Purchase
"The Soccer Dad-Pod," October 13, 2025 More inside the book including Pat McBride, Taylor Twellman, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, Eric Wynalda, Preki... |
100 AMERICAN SOCCER LEGENDS
By Shane Stay Published December 1, 2025 Meyer & Meyer Sport The United States is #1 in Olympic Gold Medals. The United States is #1 in the world for sports. Everyone in the world knows a FIFA World Cup is next! Opinions will fly with the "best of the best!" The Top 5? The Top Gun of US soccer? Very challenging. The absolute Top 5? Within the Pulisic section a Top 5 is broken down. What's more, Tab Ramos, one to consider, had to compete with an uber-talented mentor. BUY THE BOOK PAPERBACK EBOOK AMAZON B&N BEAM BAM! RAKUTEN KOBO BOOKSHOP BOOKTOPIA CARDINAL WATERSTONES |
ABOUT SHANE STAY
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Shane Stay is a bestselling author whose books include Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup, 100 American Soccer Legends, This Is Our CITY, THE World Cup 2022 Book, The Euro 2020, European Soccer Leagues 2019, THE Women's World Cup 2019 Book, Major League Soccer 2019, THE World Cup 2018 Book, Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet, and The Cairo Project. His stories – fiction and non-fiction – have also appeared in various online and print magazine publications in the genres of sports, humor and modern culture. In 2008, he played restaurateur, professional soccer, founded Leaf Dressing...Read more at About the Author.
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590 the Fan, KFNS, STL's sports talk, w/ the extensive experience of Cam Janssen (St. Louis Blues), Charlie Marlow (FOX 2) and Jim Hayes (St. Louis Cardinals sportscaster)
3-8 Segment 4 - Soccer aficionado and author Shane Stay joins the show in-studio
3-8 Segment 5 - Questions they FORGOT to ask Shane Stay - JJ Redick And Kendrick Perkins Yell In Bonkers Fight Over Race On ESPN
BOOK-RELATED MATERIAL
MEDIA LINKS
WBGZ, Big Z Media, Alton, Illinois, June 11, 2026
KTRS The Big 550, June 5, 2026
KFVS 12 TV, CBS affiliate
"The 2026 FIFA World Cup Cities," published with Cardinal Publishers Group, January 2, 2026
"The Soccer Dad-Pod," October 13, 2025
590 the Fan, St. Louis, Missouri, 2023
KSVY Radio 91.3 FM, The Voice of the Valley, Sonoma, California | "The Morning Show Wednesday" with Ronny Joe Grooms, 9:40 AM, December 14, 2022
KSRO Radio 103.5 FM, 94.5 FM, 1350 AM with Daniel Trucios & Larry Olson, Sonoma County's News Talk, Santa Rosa, California, 7:45am Pacific Time, Wednesday, November 30, 2022
"The Soccer Dad-Pod," S1 E10, November 2022
"ITALY IS BACK!" The Predictions Fly High" published at Cardinal Publishers Group, July 2021
Listen for Shane Stay on KSRO 103.5 FM, 94.5 FM, 1350 AM with Pat Kerrigan, on Sonoma County's News Talk out of Santa Rosa, California, at 8:15am Pacific Time, Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Listen for Shane Stay on #SoccerChat the Podcast, (Apple Podcasts Preview), June 2019
"Beyond the Game" with Cable TV host John Vorperian, Altice 76; Fios 45, White Plains, NY and www.wpcommunitymedia.org, Friday 9pm Eastern, June 22, 2018
KSRO 103.5 FM, 94.5 FM, 1350 AM with Pat Kerrigan, on Sonoma County's News Talk out of Santa Rosa, California, at 8:15am Pacific Time, Thursday, June 14, 2018
THE World Cup 2018 Book
Bestseller Nielsen BookScan | Top 50 Title Five Weeks in a Row
Southern Illinois native, Shane Stay, featured in the Fall edition of the Tourism Times as part of MADE in ILLINOISouth, 2017
"Insight" from NPR's Capitol Public Radio Sacramento, California, 2015
Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet
"...A very interesting book." Rick Kushman,
Capitol Public Radio NPR, Sacramento
"That's the innovative thinking American soccer needs and I think that's what you've proven here with your book." Taylor Jacobs, Press Play Radio, Seattle
NPR Charlotte NC, Listen for Shane Stay, 2014
SHANE'S MIGHTY PREDICTIONS
2026 Champions League Champs: Paris Saint-Germain
2026 Italy vs. Northern Ireland, 2-0, UEFA World Cup Playoffs, March 26, 2026
2025 MLS Cup Champs: Inter Miami
2024 UEFA Euro Champs: Spain (Published with Cardinal Publishers Group, July 16, 2024)
2024 Copa America Champs: Argentina (Published with Cardinal Publishers Group, July 16, 2024)
2024 Champions League Champs: Real Madrid
2022 Champions League Champs: Real Madrid
2020-21 UEFA Euro Champs: Italy
2020 MLS Cup Champs: Portland
2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Champs: USWNT
See BLOG for up-to-date expert soccer analysis, World Cup anecdotes, Shane’s ‘Things To Do List’ and more...
Facebook @ShaneStayAuthor
Books Available at:
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Bookstores and Book Wholesaler Inquiries
USA (Cardinal Publishers Group)
Canada (Georgetown Publications)
Europe (Meyer & Meyer Sport The Sports Publisher)
USA (Cardinal Publishers Group)
Canada (Georgetown Publications)
Europe (Meyer & Meyer Sport The Sports Publisher)
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