Good stuff. My next, currently about 25% of the way through, is going back a bit further. It's called 1938: The World Cup on the edge of World War.
Sport, politics and history combined.

Wow, impressively prolific.

Thank you very much Mark. Really appreciate the kind words.
What are the book ideas you're working on?

Personally, I would say that the addition of Fernandez added greater balance to the team, allowing the other three to do their thing all the better. It only fell into place shortly before Euro 1984, but once it fully clicked in that Euros, I feel it helped France perform at a level beyond that of 82

The Sting, for me.

Revert the World Cup to 32 teams.

But also introduce a global play-in competition to expand on the intercontinental playoffs.

Have 16 or even 32 teams in that, like a mini World Cup. That way, more nations get something beyond the norm and some get to reach the big finals if they're good enough

Award penalties for any denial of a goalscoring opportunity, no matter where on the field the offence took place.

A Scandinavian top division?

A Benelux league?

A Balkan league?

A Mediterranean league featuring Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey perhaps?

Incendiary but strong.

I'd take this thought and go further. Multi national leagues across Europe would perhaps strengthen many teams.

How about a league of all top Spanish, Portuguese, and French clubs together, with national leagues feeding into it?

How about Austria, Switzerland, and Germany?

And while I'm at it, merge Asian and Oceanian federations too.

Merge concacaf and conmebol.
Copa America then becomes a tournament requiring qualifiers, but bri is meaningful competition to the stronger teams from both, and chance to develop for the rest.

World cup qualifying becomes more meaningful too.

Essentially increasing the prospect of a mid table Championship team being promoted. May be unlikely, sure, but would be possible.

The current set up is fine.

Love that quote. Magnificent