llustrated by Phung Nguyen Quang, The World Game: Soccer Circles the Globe (Lerner Publishing Group, May 2026) is a picture book written by John Coy that traces a single fast-paced match across continents and time zones, touching down in cities from Chicago to Lagos, Shenzhen to Kochi. Timed to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, it's a lively celebration of the sport's global reach, aimed at readers aged 5 to 10, with Phung's characteristically vibrant illustration style lending real energy and momentum to every page.

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