At Summerfest 2026, Newmag will present Luciano Wernicke’s book “Why Is Soccer Played Eleven Against Eleven?”
06/20/2026
The history of football is not only a story of goals, trophies, and legendary players. It is also a collection of unusual rules, unexpected events, scandals, and mysteries. In his new book, Argentine journalist Luciano Wernicke presents 100 fascinating stories that reveal how a chaotic game became the most popular sport in the world.
Once, football had almost no rules. There was a ball, enthusiasm, and endless chaos. People played in streets, fields, and villages, sometimes with dozens or even hundreds of participants. Over time, this unpredictable game transformed into the sport millions of people know and love today.
It may seem that everything about football has already been discovered. But what about the time when matches were played across entire cities, when kings tried to ban the game, and when some football transfers were paid not with money, but with goods such as cement or meat?
In “Why Is Soccer Played Eleven Against Eleven?”, Luciano Wernicke brings together stories that stand between historical facts, legends, and forgotten episodes.
The book answers questions that have fascinated football fans for decades: Where did the modern rules of the game originate? How did referees, free kicks, and yellow and red cards appear? Who came up with the idea of the penalty kick? And how could a player score a goal without even stepping onto the field?
Wernicke writes about legendary victories and dramatic defeats, unbelievable records, unusual characters, and the strangest moments in football history.
The chapters are short, dynamic, and full of surprising facts, making the book enjoyable both for devoted football fans and for readers who are just discovering the world’s most popular sport.
Luciano Wernicke is an Argentine journalist, screenwriter, and lecturer. He has worked with leading sports media in Argentina, taught sports journalism, and spent years researching the history of sports. His books have become international bestsellers and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
“Why Is Soccer Played Eleven Against Eleven?” is not only a collection of facts, but also an entertaining journey through the hidden stories behind the world’s favorite game, proving that football still has countless secrets waiting to be discovered.
The Armenian translation of the book is by Ani Hakobyan.
The presentation of “Why Is Soccer Played Eleven Against Eleven?” will take place during Newmag Summer Fest 2026 on June 27 at 8:00 PM, on the Main Stage of Yeraz Park. Admission is free. The book will be available with a 40% discount.
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Description
Why do they play football exactly 11 against 11? Who invented the penalty kick? When did the team play three games in one day? How did they make transfers with cement, meat or a few drams? Luciano Wernicke collected 100 surprising, unexpected and remarkable facts about football in one book. Here are legendary victories and incredible failures, forgotten rules, impossible records, strange faces and scandalous episodes. The book is not just a collection of facts, but a fun and absorbing journey through the history of the world's favorite game. Do you think you know everything about football? this book will pleasantly surprise you. If you are new to the game, this book is the best place to start.
