Mexico may not win the World Cup, but its fans will compete
Acclaimed Mexican author Juan Villoro links soccer to art, science and culture in a new essay collection, explaining why Mexico’s fans arrive with unmatched enthusiasm even when victory is unlikely.
By Rich Tenorio
When acclaimed Mexican author Juan Villoro writes about soccer, he takes the long view. So it’s no surprise that his new collection of essays on the subject — “The Game at the End of the World” (Restless Books, 2026) — not only addresses the beautiful game but connects soccer to art and science, philosophy and music. There’s even a discussion of how goal-scoring celebrations reflect either centrifugal or centripetal energy.