Sibling Rivalry: How Mexico and the US Built the Most Contentious, Co-Dependent Feud in World Soccer
Hal Phillips
Feb 2026 · Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Ebook
296
Pages
About this ebook
A captivating examination of the competitive history, drama, and politics behind the storied rivalry between the United States and Mexico--in international soccer and beyond.
Soccer is the most global of pastimes, but no international rivalry carries more cultural and geo-political baggage than the United States vs. Mexico, especially today. With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the two nations (along with Canada), it's time to shine a spotlight on this storied continental grudge match.
In Sibling Rivalry, Hal Phillips investigates the intense, complex associations between the two countries, both on and off the field. He examines the complicated border dynamics, the countries' economic and cultural realities, and the evolution of what was once a one-sided rivalry into an intensely equal, ever-escalating athletic confrontation. Phillips also draws on the stories of Mexican-American stars who opted to play for the US and those who chose to play for Mexico. Their perspectives breathe life into the story and show the impact of this rivalry on a personal level.
More than a million people and 300,000 goods-bearing vehicles traverse the U.S.-Mexico border every day. The countries and their people are intricately intertwined, whether they want to be or not. That's what makes this centuries-old family drama, played out in fascinating detail in Sibling Rivalry, so complicated and compelling.
Soccer is the most global of pastimes, but no international rivalry carries more cultural and geo-political baggage than the United States vs. Mexico, especially today. With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the two nations (along with Canada), it's time to shine a spotlight on this storied continental grudge match.
In Sibling Rivalry, Hal Phillips investigates the intense, complex associations between the two countries, both on and off the field. He examines the complicated border dynamics, the countries' economic and cultural realities, and the evolution of what was once a one-sided rivalry into an intensely equal, ever-escalating athletic confrontation. Phillips also draws on the stories of Mexican-American stars who opted to play for the US and those who chose to play for Mexico. Their perspectives breathe life into the story and show the impact of this rivalry on a personal level.
More than a million people and 300,000 goods-bearing vehicles traverse the U.S.-Mexico border every day. The countries and their people are intricately intertwined, whether they want to be or not. That's what makes this centuries-old family drama, played out in fascinating detail in Sibling Rivalry, so complicated and compelling.
A captivating examination of the competitive history, drama, and politics behind the storied rivalry between the United States and Mexico--in international soccer and beyond.
Soccer is the most global of pastimes, but no international rivalry carries more cultural and geo-political baggage than ...
Discover more
About the author
Hal Phillips is an author, journalist, and media executive based in southern Maine. He has contributed to ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Soccer America, Soccer Journal, Travel & Leisure, and GOLF Magazine. He is the author of Generation Zero: Founding Fathers, Hidden Histories, and the Making of Soccer in America.
Hal Phillips is an author, journalist, and media executive based in southern Maine. He has contributed to ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Soccer America, Soccer Journal, Travel & Leisure, and GOLF Magazine. He is the author of Generation Zero: Founding Fathers, Hidden Histories, and the Making of Socce...
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
