Miguel -- thanks for the link to my story. If you're looking to get your students a great read on football and politics in international perspective, I'd suggest Simon Kuper's "Soccer Against the Enemy" which has greater reach and authority than Foer's book, which has some very strong parts, but also misunderstands a few things... And, of course, seeing as how you're teaching about Latin America, Eduardo Galleano's writings about soccer are indispesnable, and also Alex Bellos's book on Brazilian futbol...
I know what you mean. The Kuper book has more depth, particularly for discussion on nationalism and how states sustain themselves w/ such displays (I instantly think of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, as well as the 1934 Italian and 1978 Argentine FIFA World Cups, to which we can include the 2008 Beijing Olympics). But I wanted an easier textbook that my students could parse through, and that would spark discussions, all the while they work on their semester papers. I also wanted something that would apply more broadly to globalization, rather than more focused discussion of nationalism & the role of the state. But, yes, the Kuper book (and other materials, including those you mentioned) will be introduced in lectures.
