Pele holding aloft the Jules Rimet trophy in 1970; Maradona's 'goal of the century' in 1986; and Greece's triumph against the odds at Euro 2004 - the world's most popular game has provided some of the most iconic and memorable moments in sport. All these and many more are captured in "The Kingfisher Football Encyclopedia", a treasure trove of information about the beautiful game that is packed with stunning action photographs and state-of-the-art digital illustrations. The opening chapter examines the rise of football by comparing early versions of the game, such as pallo, kemala and mob football, to today's money-spinning global industry. 'Playing the Game' uses stunning digital illustrations to explain the key rules, features and skills of football, while the third section profiles over 75 of the greatest players, from Alain Giresse of France to Brazil's Zico. Managers, tactics and formations are explored in 'The Brain Game', and section five celebrates more than 40 of the best international and club sides to have graced the sport. 'Footballing Fortunes' examines issues in and around the game - the demands of being a professional player, fans and the media, wages and transfers, as well as the darker side of the game, such as hooliganism, match fixing and stadium tragedies. The final chapter surveys the great competitions, from the World Cup to the Japanese J-League. Rounding off the book are comprehensive national statistics, a glossary and an index. Each chapter is capped by a dramatic full-spread photo capturing the triumph or despair of one of the pivotal moments in world football, including Real Madrid's astonishing attacking display in the 1960 European Cup final and Roberto Baggio's heartbreaking penalty miss in the 1994 World Cup final. Throughout the book, illuminating 3D computer-generated 'Match Action' artworks recreate the most famous moves and goals from world football, while each chapter also includes a selection of links to stable websites, providing a valuable access point to statistical databases of players, international results and club histories. "The Kingfisher Football Encyclopedia" is the perfect reference and gift book to accompany the 2006 World Cup and beyond.