The World Cup draws all sorts of fans who would never otherwise watch soccer. Part of the appeal lies in how the players and team reflect their cultures’ charisma, personality and vitality during the game, both on the fields and in the stands. These foreign films about soccer transport us around the world to various countries to learn about their cultures and passions.
1. The President of the Borgorosso Football Club (1970) – Italy
Starring legendary Italian comic actor Alberto Sordi, this film follows an unwilling soccer team owner and his comedic disasters in trying to pull a team together.
2. Rudo y Cursi (2008) – Mexico
Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna team up again in this dramedy about two half-brothers who escape the monotony of working on a banana plantation by becoming famous soccer players.
3. Soccer Days (2003) – Spain
In this ensemble comedy, a group of hapless friends decide to improve their lives by grouping together and becoming a soccer team.
4. Shooting Stars (2002) – France
When a mediocre soccer player meets a tough guy in prison, the two hatch a plan—when they are free, they will team up to win both at soccer and at shady deals.
5. 1/11 (2014) – Japan
Based of Takatoshi’s 2010 manga by the same name, 1/11 is the story of a young Japanese soccer player who gives up playing the first year of high school because he doesn’t believe in himself. But when he rekindles a friendship with a childhood friend who is a female soccer player, he learns to love the sport again.
6. Rena is Offsides (1972) – Greece
Greek comedienne Rena Vlahopoulou finds herself in her usual farcical situations, this time accidentally pretending to be a famous soccer player’s mother, and enjoying the respect that comes with having a famous son.
7. The Golden Ball (1994) – France/Guinea
The story is inspired by the life of Salif Keita, and his voyage from his country town to the capital in pursuit of his dreams to be a soccer player.
8. Underdogs (2013) – Argentina
More about foosball than football, this animated film tells the tale of Amadeo, a young boy who strives for his foosball team to regain their former glory.
9. The Cup (1999) – Butan
Two young monks in India desperately try to get hold of a television, all so they can watch the 1998 World Cup final.
10. Shaolin Soccer (2001) – China
A former Shaolin monk brings his brothers together as a soccer team, using the games to expose the fans to Kung Fu.
11. Africa United (2010) – Rwanda
A film about a group of young Rwandan boys who don’t have much, but their dream to watch the World Cup in South Africa gives them something to hope for.
12. The Miracle of Bern (2003) – Germany
Directed by German director and former professional football player Sönke Wortmann, The Miracle of Bern is the story of Matthias, a young West German boy who is able to forget about the problems of his family and his country by rooting for his team in the 1954 World Cup final.
13. The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (2006) – Brazil
The Year My Parents Went on Vacation is the story of a young Brazilian boy whose family life is spiraling out of control and whose country is in political turmoil. He clings to hope by following his team, Brazil, as it goes for its third stripe in the 1970 World Cup.
14. A Barefoot Dream (2010) – South Korea
Park Hee-soon plays Kim Won-kang, a soccer player who didn’t make it to the big leagues. In his disappointment, he moves and opens up a sports shop in East Timor, only to find that the residents are too poor to afford anything he sells. Though he is downtrodden at first, he then finds fulfillment in coaching, as he teaches the children of East Timor the joys of playing soccer.