Football can be digested in so many formats, and now we have a new one courtesy of Guinness World Records, who’ve recently released their first-ever Football-specific edition. To find out more about the entire project, we sat down with Senior Manager, Talent & Creative, Will Munford.
Football is a game built on moments — from the jaw-dropping to the quietly profound — and no one captures those better than Guinness World Records. With the launch of its first-ever Football Edition, the global authority on human achievement has turned its lens fully on the world’s most beautiful game.
We caught up with Will Munford, Senior Manager for Talent and Creative at Guinness World Records and part of the team behind the book, to talk about what it means to give football its own platform. From red-card chaos in South America to freestyle artistry led by Isabel Wilkins, the edition dives deep into the culture, emotion and obsession that make football a universal language.
Here, Munford opens up about the process of curating a century of stories into one definitive volume — a celebration of the records, the characters, and the unrelenting magic of the game.
Will Munford
Isabel Wilkins
This is the first-ever football edition from Guinness World Records. What inspired the team to finally give football its own spotlight?
Will Munford: Football has always been one of the most popular areas in our main books, but it really deserves its own platform. It’s a truly global sport that spans everything from freestyling and futsal to beach soccer, the Premier League, and the World Cup. It’s such a wide-ranging and dynamic area that we wanted to bring all those incredible records together in one place — the ultimate “top 100” of football.
When you’re creating a standalone edition around one sport, what does the creative process look like, and how do you decide which stories and records make the cut?
WM: One of the great things about working at Guinness World Records is that the team is full of passionate people — especially about sport. The first step is reaching out internally and to our consultants around the world to ask: what do people not know about? What should they know about? From there, we compile a huge list of potential records and gradually narrow it down to what fits best within the book.
The book includes everything from record-breaking players to freestyle tricks and even football anthems. How do you balance the official record side of Guinness with the cultural heartbeat of the game?
WM: That’s one of the joys of football — the records naturally connect to the stories and culture around them. For instance, a page about disciplinary records might start with “Who’s been sent off the most in Serie A or the Premier League?” but then lead into more obscure tales, like the match with the most red cards in South America. You end up with not just a headline statistic, but the human stories behind it.
Football moves fast — new records are broken every season. How do you capture a moment in time that still feels relevant by the time the book hits the shelves?
WM: That’s always a challenge because football never stops. Luckily, many of the big records — like Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record — tend to stand the test of time. Even when things change, what’s in the book remains interesting and sparks curiosity. People pick it up, check the facts, and think, “Is this still right?” That’s part of the fun.
Guinness World Records has always been about human achievement. But football is also about emotion. How did you and the team capture the feeling of football in such a data-driven format?
WM: We may be known for stats, but at its core this book celebrates passion — both the big achievements and the smaller, quirkier moments. Those little stories are what make football personal. Not everyone wants to read about Ronaldo; sometimes it’s about characters like William “Fatty” Foulke, the heaviest-ever goalkeeper, who once locked a referee in a cupboard at half-time. Those are the tales that make football so special.
William “Fatty” Foulke
The freestyle section, led by Isabel Wilkins, brings a creative and hands-on side to the book. Why was it important to include that?
WM: Freestyle football is something fans can really connect with. Isabel’s achievements — like becoming the youngest winner of the World Freestyle Championships — are incredible, but what’s inspiring is that it starts with just a person, a ball, and a lot of practice. The book even includes pages showing her tricks and how readers can attempt their own record. It reminds people they can be in the same book as Ronaldo or Messi — it’s all about passion and persistence.
There’s also a feature on football music and anthems. Was there a particular track or chant that resonates with you personally?
WM: I’m an Arsenal fan, so North London Forever has taken some getting used to, but I’ve always loved Sunshine on Leith. That one really stands out for me.
The visual side of the book is stunning — as all Guinness World Records books are. How did you approach the design and tone?
WM: We wanted it to be instantly eye-catching. For a lot of readers, it’s a book to flick through, so the visuals have to grab your attention right away. You’ll see spreads with big-name players, full-pitch graphics, and unexpected moments — like spotting Ryan Reynolds on a page and wondering, “What’s he doing there?” The goal was to keep people curious from cover to cover.
You’ve spent years surrounded by incredible people through Guinness World Records. What’s your own relationship with football?
WM: I’ve played since I was a kid and still turn out for a Sunday League team — probably one of the worst right-backs in the London Amateur Football Association! My colleague Tom Beckleg, who led on the book, is one of those encyclopedic football minds who can recall every stat from the past 30 years. He’s a passionate Everton fan, though, so he didn’t get to include too many of his club’s triumphs!
If you had to pick one football record that still blows your mind, what would it be and why?
WM: I’ve always admired Ildefons Lima Solà from Andorra — 137 international caps over 26 years. There’s something beautifully tragic about that kind of dedication: always showing up, representing your country, even if major success never comes. It’s quietly heroic.
That’s a great story. Given what Guinness World Records stands for, is there a football record you’d secretly love to attempt yourself?
WM: Unfortunately, we’re not allowed to attempt records ourselves, but if I could, I’d probably go for something endurance-based — like the most penalties taken in 24 hours. No chance of me setting any skill-based records! Meeting the world’s best freestylers really puts into perspective just how high the bar is.
Ildefons Lima Solà
Were there any records or moments that almost made it into the book but didn’t?
WM: There were loads! We could have easily filled another volume. But we worked hard to make sure we captured the essential top 100 — the ones that really deserved to be there.
The book also invites fans to take part in the You vs. GWR Freestyle Challenge. Do you see this as a step towards making record-breaking more interactive and cultural?
WM: Absolutely. We want people to feel part of it. Football is universal — anyone can pick up a ball and try. This challenge is about encouraging that connection and inspiring people to give record-breaking a go themselves.
What was the biggest challenge in putting the book together?
WM: Respecting the passion of football fans. It’s such a deeply emotional sport that you feel a huge responsibility to get it right. We wanted to make sure every record and story was handled with authenticity and love for the game.
And finally, this edition celebrates football’s past, present, and future. From where you sit, what’s next for football record-breaking?
WM: We’re seeing younger and younger players reach the top level, and careers lasting longer than ever. In twenty years’ time, I think we’ll look back and see some staggering stats — in goals scored, games played, and career spans. Records are being rewritten all the time, and that’s what makes football so endlessly fascinating.
The Guinness World Records: Football Edition 2026, (RRP £12.99) is available for purchase in stores and online now.
