32 Soccer Romance Books to Cure World Cup Fever
The most comprehensive soccer romance books list on the internet, with sapphic, MM, spicy, and even new 2026 releases. You’ll find your match here.
Every four years my regular life stops and the World Cup takes over. It’s been that way since my childhood. I can still see myself screaming at the TV with my dad in 1994 when Roberto Baggio sent that penalty over the bar, and crying happy tears in 2006 when Italy won it all and Mauro Camoranesi cut his ponytail off right there on the field. This year is complicated. Italy missed a third straight World Cup, out in the playoffs, on penalties, because the universe has a sense of humor. And honestly? Based on the last decade, they need the wake up call. My husband is Greek, so there’s no consolation on his side of the couch either. Two countries, zero qualifications, and now the two of them are playing each other in a friendly anyway, which feels like group therapy. But here’s the twist: Panama, where I was raised and the place I call home, actually qualified this time. So this household has a team after all, and we’ll be cheering for the #MareaRoja with our whole chest.
Between matches though, there’s sports romance. So I present to you my complete list of soccer romance books. It’s the most comprehensive one you’ll find anywhere. Some I’ve read and will vouch for. Some are on my TBR. I’ll update my verdicts here as I get through them. Fair warning: a lot of soccer romance goes easy on the actual soccer. I’ll tell you when a book really delivers the game.
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Start Here: My Must-Read Soccer Romance Books
If you only read three books off this entire list, these are the three. They’re the ones I give to anyone that says “okay, sell me on soccer romance” and they haven’t missed yet.
The Player by Claire Contreras
Tropes: famous athlete, she doesn’t know who he is, opposites attract, standalone
This is a standalone novel set mostly in NYC and features a fiery Latina heroine who has no clue who the hot guy chasing after her is because she doesn’t really follow soccer. Warren is determined to get Camila to pay attention to him so he agrees to see New York on her budget. Watching her drag him onto the subway like he’s nobody is so funny.
Kulti by Mariana Zapata
Tropes: hot for coach, age gap, slow burn, she’s the player, he’s a jerk
You could call this a student teacher age gap romance because Kulti, the big time soccer player, is coming to coach Sal’s team for the season. But this is more than a hot for coach story. Kulti is Sal’s idol from as far back as she can remember. Idol worship level. If you like your heroes a bit on the jerk side, you’ll eat this stuff up. This is a standalone novel and I love the fact that the active soccer player is the heroine.
Challenge by Amy Daws
Tropes: he falls first, virgin heroine, she’s a doctor and he’s the soccer player, sports recovery, romcom
A naive doctor who hasn’t lived her life to the fullest outside of academics and her medical career meets her perfect ideal man while he’s in recovery for a knee injury. If you’re looking for a romcom with some character growth and a virgin heroine needing to break out of her shell, check this one for sure. Cam starts off really full of himself but once he’s fallen, he’s locked in. This one is for the he falls first girlies. And it’s book 1 in a whole series of soccer romances all around his big family.
Forbidden and Spicy Soccer Romance Books
This is the heat tier. Forbidden romances, revenge plots, and players whose scandals follow them. You’ll want to start here if “spicy” is the whole assignment.
The Forbidden Man by Karina Halle
Tropes: forbidden workplace romance, set in spain, spicy
A divorced woman working as the physical therapist of the Madrid soccer team has a forbidden relationship with the team’s young soccer star. He’s 23, she’s 40, so we’re talking a 17 year age gap. This book is both sweet and hot, with a young but emotionally intelligent man and a work situation that puts them in completely impossible situations to figure out. If you want a bit of drama, some questionable character choices, and yes steam with a sexy spaniard accent, pick this one.
The Striker by Ana Huang
Tropes: forced proximity, dancer heroine, slow burn, set in london, spicy
Ana Huang’s entry into soccer: the Premier League’s golden boy, a transfer mired in drama, and the ballerina turned dance instructor hired to fix his flexibility, and his discipline. Huang delivers heat with one, a London setting, and a side of grump. This is a soccer romance series you can binge.
You Beautiful Thing, You by Saffron A. Kent
Tropes: revenge plot, obsessive hero, angst, dark-ish
The angstiest book on this list: she plans to seduce the soccer god who broke her heart, get pregnant, and leave him the way he left her. Dark-ish, obsessive and hot. If you’ve read Saffron A. Kent, you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Angst to the max. By the way, if you like this kind of spice, Saffron A. Kent also has the St. Mary’s Rebels series, which is also soccer romance books.
Hard to Hold by K. Bromberg
Tropes: forced proximity, scandal, sports agent heroine, spicy
A suspended British soccer star recruited to MLS, a sports agent with her own tabloid baggage, and sprinkle in some forced proximity in a shared house. I happen to love sports agent heroines stories. Eat them up every time. And in this series, each book spotlights a different sport.
Soccer Romance Books Where She’s the Star
Women running the show, on the pitch and on the touchline. These are the soccer romance books where she’s the athlete or the coach, not the girlfriend in the stands.
For the Win by Sara Rider
Tropes: enemies to lovers, both are soccer stars, sports rivalry, plenty of game
If what you’re looking for is to immerse yourself in the sport, Sara Rider is your choice. I only read this first book in the series, but FYI the second is also a female soccer star. Both main characters in this one are professional soccer players and playing at the same stadium, you’ll get no shortage of game talk, competitiveness and even some cockiness. But don’t get scared, is just the perfect balance. The pacing is great, the romance and chemistry are sizzling. Definitely perfect for the fans of a good enemies to lovers.
First Flight, Final Fall by C.W. Farnsworth
Tropes: both athletes, famous hero, long distance, kulti vibes
The top female college player in the US meets the German superstar voted Sexiest Athlete Alive by challenging him to a shoot-out at a Germany training camp. And winning. This one is on my TBR and it’s giving me all the Kulti vibes.
She’s a Keeper by Tember Sapphire
Tropes: second chance, friends to lovers, both athletes, caribbean rep
Two pro players, best friends to lovers to strangers, and a second chance that kicks off when he shows up at her wedding. Both main characters are Caribbean, the author writes her home islands into the story, and the whole She Can Play series is about women athletes. This is a new addition to my TBR, it’s YA/NA crossover and I can’t wait to read it.
The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton
Tropes: enemies to lovers, rival coaches, banter, spicy, 2026 debut
A May 2026 debut I just found and I’m so excited for. She’s a head coach who has to win the state championship or lose her job, and the rival school just hired a scandalous ex-England player as their coach. Enemies to lovers, steamy, and pitched for fans of Meryl Wilsner and Elena Armas.
Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score
Tropes: hometown return, fake dating, coach heroine, romcom
While this one may not feature a sexy soccer player, it does involve soccer so I thought it deserved a spot on the list. The heroine gets a position as the soccer coach for the high school girls team and she ends up in a fake relationship with the track coach and dog dad.
Sapphic Soccer Romance Books
Sapphic soccer romance is finally getting the shelf it deserves. If Megan Rapinoe has you reaching for a romance book to read, these three are hitting every note. From the book everyone comps to, to a brand new 2026 release about rival national team managers.
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
Tropes: veteran x rookie, rivals to teammates, age gap, sapphic
A veteran national team star and the rookie gunning for her spot. This is the book every new f/f sports romance gets compared to, and for good reason. I would maybe even say it’s the sapphic soccer “Heated Rivalry” moment.
Girlfriend Goals by Clare Lydon
Tropes: rivals to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, sapphic, new for 2026
This is a 2026 release I recently stumbled across about former teammates turned estranged rivals, now managing the England and Ireland women’s national teams, and forced together for a documentary in the run-up to the Euros. Twenty years of secrets, tension, and a lot of actual football. I’m super excited for this one because the premise is a soccer fan’s paradise.
Never Mine by Bryce Oakley
Tropes: fake dating, opposites attract, low angst, sapphic
A World Cup champion and Olympic medalist with a wild child reputation needs a stable fake girlfriend for an endorsement deal; the sunshine zoo coordinator from her high school reunion needs a date to her ex’s bachelorette. Sapphic fauxmance, witty banter, low angst. This sounds deliciously perfect for a summer read.
MM and Gay Soccer Romance Books
The MM soccer shelf went from one good book to a genuine lineup in recent years. Teammates, rivals, and a Premier League that’s never had a player come out, these stories use give us sport’s real stakes.
Two Left Feet by Kallie Emblidge
Tropes: veteran x rookie, injury recovery, premier league, mm, new for 2026
This is a 2026 debut that everyone’s comping to Cleat Cute and Heated Rivalry. I’m so here for that! A Premier League golden boy sidelined by injury, the talented rookie who might take his spot, and a league with no out players. This one delivers real soccer.
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, co-captains, next-door neighbors, mm
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Grumpy soccer star meets his match in the new young star of the team who happens to have had a huge crush on him since forever. Oh and they also live next door to each other. This is an emotional yet funny enemies to lovers story. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming and will hit you in the feels.
Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa
Tropes: friends to lovers, coming out, college, mexican-american rep, mm
A college goalkeeper’s freshman year, a classmates to friends to lovers romance, and a coming out story rooted in Mexican-American sports culture. This is new adult with thrilling match scenes. I had to immediately add to my TBR because it’s just oozing soccer vibes. If you know any Mexican Americans, you know they don’t play about their futbol.
Hits Different by Joel Rustin
Tropes: friends to strangers to lovers, second chance, injury recovery, mm
An MMA fighter and his ex-best friend who is a college soccer MVP rehabbing a career threatening injury. This friends to strangers to lovers has wholesome angst, and another entry for my “the genre loves a sidelined athlete” theory.
Romances with Retired Soccer Players
The cleats are hung up, the identity crisis is just beginning. Retired soccer player romances trade the match day stakes for the better question: who is he when the game’s over?
The Long Game by Elena Armas
Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, small town, retired athlete, slow burn
A disgraced team exec exiled to small town North Carolina, a retired soccer star reluctantly coaching a kids’ team of nine-year-olds, and Elena Armas doing what she does best. A grumpy, slow burn, and the soccer is mostly tiny children, which is its own adorable selling point.
When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, retired footballer, curvy heroine, opposites attract
A ghostwriter gets the job of a lifetime to write the memoir of an ex-footballer. There’s forced proximity as they locked away to get all the details so she can write. But in the meantime, sparks fly. And the paparazzi cameras too! This is an adorable story especially because they are thrown into a relationship (PR fake dating to cover up the ghostwriting) and there’s nothing sexier than a hero who stands up for his girl to the whole world.
The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco by Talia Hibbert
Tropes: fake dating, retired footballer, bisexual hero, black british heroine
Nik has just retired from soccer and has no idea what’s next. What he does know is he needs someone to be his “date” for a party. Enter Aria. She’s sworn off relationships and he’s a billionaire playboy. But a small arrangement that can make her some cash should be safe. Until the attraction starts sizzling. This is an interracial romance, with a Black British heroine and Greek bisexual hero. And it’s just as fun as you can imagine. The lavish Spanish villa setting, the chemistry between these two. Obsessed. Previously titled Sweet on the Greek.
Soccer Stars in the Spotlight (Fame, PR & Fake Dating)
Tabloids, takedowns, image rehab, and fake relationships that catch real feelings. This is a staple of sports romance. Even though you may have already found a few on this list so far.
Out of Her League by Ava Rani
Tropes: fake dating, age gap, revenge on the ex, famous athlete
This is a fun 2026 release that I really enjoyed and it brings us a career focused heroine who needs a date for the wedding of the year in Paris because her ex is going to be there. So she naturally enlists the is sexiest soccer player recovering from an injury who also needs the connections at the party and some good press. This gives you emotion, surprise feelings, and a tender romance between these two that felt so natural. If you want some armchair travel, this is a great one.
Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley
Tropes: fake dating, grumpy hero, celebrity heroine, pr stunt
The Ted Lasso x How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days but with a grumpy soccer star forced to fake date a Hollywood actress. This one was a lot of fun if you want a reluctant hero and all appearances and celebrities prejudice to fall as they connect. Adorable! Also Brittany Kelley has a new soccer romance, Keeping Score, dropping August 25, 2026.
Close Knit by Kels & Denise Stone
Tropes: one night stand, grumpy x sunshine, across the hall, mental health rep
The only American goalkeeper in the Premier League, running from paparazzi, crashes into a lavender haired knitting influencer mid-Yes Year. One anonymous night, and then she moves in across the hall, in London. Grumpy/sunshine with real mental health rep. This one is a must read for the crafters! I will be adding to my TBR ASAP.
Playing the Field by Becky Ward
Tropes: forbidden romance, secret dating, underdog club, redemption arc
When the local club abandons its town, a football crazed family starts their own, and a suspended Premier League striker shows up to coach his way back into public favor. Pitched for fans of Welcome to Wrexham and Ted Lasso, with a forbidden, secret dating romance. I’m already obsessed with the premise.
New Adult and College Soccer Romances
Campus pitches, rivalries, and players still fighting for their shot. New adult soccer romance runs on lower stakes but higher feelings and these are the standouts.
Lessons in Faking by Selina Mae
Tropes: fake dating, brother’s rival, college, banter
I read this one recently after I saw it on Booktok and I had just watched Off Campus. So let me just say, if you enjoyed The Deal by Elle Kennedy, you’ll like this one! He’s her brothers sports rival but her tutor. Kind of forbidden romance. It was my first time reading the author but she’s a Wattpad darling.
First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe
grumpy x sunshine, brother’s teammate, across the hall, soccer girl x football guy
She’s a college soccer player stuck living in the football house with her twin brother, directly across the hall from the grumpy tight end who can’t stand her. Soccer heroine, football hero, brother’s best friend, grumpy/sunshine done right. I’m so excited to read this one.
Lessons in Letting Go by Jessica Peterson
Tropes: study abroad, friends to lovers, madrid, new adult
An American student x British soccer player, one night together and now she’s his lucky charm. If you want a bit of escapism with a side of adventure, try this one. There’s also another book in this series that is a soccer romance. And if there’s something Jessica Peterson does well is charm.
Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey
Tropes: hot for coach, forbidden romance, college, new adult
While I admit this isn’t my favorite of the bunch, it’s also the youngest of the recs. In age, I mean. This is a standalone novel about a nineteen year old soccer player that wants to make the Olympic team and, similarly to Kulti, a professional soccer player is brought in to make sure they make it. Hot for Coach Wilder. If you are in the mood for a new adult story, then go for this one.
YA Soccer Romance Books
These two are young adult with high school protagonists, and perfect if you want the sweet end of the spectrum.
Stealing for Keeps by Rebecca Jenshak
Tropes: new kid in town, dares, rival’s ex
A new soccer star transfers across the country for a prestigious high school team, then gets dared to kiss a girl who turns out to be the team captain’s ex. Jenshak is a college sports romance veteran and I’ve always enjoyed her books. This YA keeps all the rivalry and chemistry.
I Like Me Better by Robby Weber
Tropes: forced together, summer romance, gay ya
A Florida soccer star takes the fall for his captain’s prank and lands in community service at a marine conservation center, where the cute intern wants nothing to do with him. Sunny, coastal, gay YA rom-com with dolphins included. How cute does that sound??? Summer reading at its best.
Final Thoughts
That’s the whole shelf, every soccer romance worth your time right now, from the sapphic national team rivals to the retired grumps writing their memoirs. This list is a living thing, so yes I’ll keep adding my verdicts as I work through the TBR, and adding new books as I find them. So bookmark it and check back, soccer romance is definitely close to my heart. And the World Cup only gives us a winner every four years, but romance delivers one every single book.
If the tournament has you in a reading mood beyond the sport, this summer’s biggest romance releases are stacked.
Now tell me in the comments: who’s your team this year, and most importantly, which soccer romance did I miss or you’re adding to your list? My TBR always has room for more.
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Some of these sound really good!
Don’t know if it’s still available, but I always loved Evangeline Anderson’s STR8TE BOYS…some people call it the college version of HOT HEAD, and (while that’s a simplification) that’s okay by me!
I enjoyed that one too!! It’s not available for purchase anymore at least not where I’ve looked.
Great recommendations!! Ty! Francesca!! Shared on all my socials!!
I love the Harris Brothers series by Amy Daws, the audiobooks are excellent.
Great recommendations, I’ll be adding some of these to my reading.
Thanks for the list
I’m not an avid soccer fan, but I do get excited when the USA men’s or women’s team are competing in the World Cup.
I’ve got Kulti on my reading list and I’ve read a few soccer/football romances, but glad to see some newer releases I’m not familiar with on your list.
I prefer watching Premier League Soccer over American Football nowadays and wanted some soccer romances. Thanks for this list. I’ve added some to my TBR.
Isn’t it the best to watch? Hope you like them. I wish more authors wrote some so I’ll definitely be on the lookout to add more here.