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Simon Kuper

@simonkuper.bsky.social
5.6K followers 43 following 429 posts

Financial Times columnist, and author of books including Chums, Good Chaps, Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century, Soccernomics and out in late 2025, World Cup Fever. British and now French too, lives in Paris with wife and kids.

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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14h
Amazing events schedule for autumn at the American Library in Paris (and no, they don't pay me), including a debate on the US midterms on Oct 15, me interviewing Julian Jackson about De Gaulle Oct 20, Virginia Evans, Skye Perryman, Evan Gershkovich +++ americanlibraryinparis.org/for-adults/c...
americanlibraryinparis.org
Calendar
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I go deep inside the Nobel prize for literature. How the award was invented, what it does, and why despite everything we're lucky to have it. Free link here: as.ft.com/r/3279d63f-7... @financialtimes.com
as.ft.com
Inside the Nobel Prize in literature
As the Swedish Academy chooses the winner of the book world’s most prestigious award, Simon Kuper looks back at an august ideal often marred by politics and bias
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FT Edit @ftedit.ft.com · 01/10/2026
Simon Kuper | Inside the Nobel Prize for literature ft.trib.al/by1HuGM #FTEdit
ft.trib.al
Inside the Nobel Prize for literature
As the Swedish Academy chooses the winner of the book world’s most prestigious award, Simon Kuper looks back at an august ideal often marred by politics and bias
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I go deep inside the Nobel prize for literature. How the award was invented, what it does, and why despite everything we're lucky to have it. Free link here: as.ft.com/r/3279d63f-7... @financialtimes.com
as.ft.com
Inside the Nobel Prize in literature
As the Swedish Academy chooses the winner of the book world’s most prestigious award, Simon Kuper looks back at an august ideal often marred by politics and bias
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Jonathan Wilson @jonawils.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Today on the IWWIW book club, Simon Kuper joins us to discuss Football Against the Enemy. #iwwiw #booclub #footballagainsttheenemy Sign up now… www.patreon.com/c/ItWas
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Very psyched to be hosting this event with Julian Jackson on Charles de Gaulle, in Paris on Oct 20. Link to tickets here. Prof Jackson wrote the prizewinning biography of De Gaulle on which the brilliant new biopic is based americanlibraryinparis.org/event/jackso...
americanlibraryinparis.org
De Gaulle: A Certain Idea of France with Julian Jackson
American Library in Paris 2018 Book Award winner Julian Jackson explores the man, the myth, and the legacy of Charles de Gaulle.
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I interviewed Vanessa Paradis, the singer/actress/model who has been part of the soundtrack of French people's lives for 40 years now, since she was 14. Free link @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/ef67...
ft.com
Vanessa Paradis and the art of staying power
Nearly 40 years after ‘Joe le taxi’, the pop icon is still the queen of French variety
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Manchester City cheated and should be punished. But the rules they broke are ridiculous and should be scrapped. Let owners spend their own money! Football shouldn't turn away donors. Just turn away bad actors and sportswashers. Me @financialtimes.com - free to read as.ft.com/r/754ae74e-e...
as.ft.com
The real lesson from the Man City affair
Owners should be free to spend their own money on football — as long as they’re fit and proper
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I interviewed Vanessa Paradis, the singer/actress/model who has been part of the soundtrack of French people's lives for 40 years now, since she was 14. Free link @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/ef67...
ft.com
Vanessa Paradis and the art of staying power
Nearly 40 years after ‘Joe le taxi’, the pop icon is still the queen of French variety
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I'd argue winning is only a minor aspect of World Cups, too
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Stelliform Press @stelliform.press · 17/09/2026
Publication day is here! Wendy Waring’s THE HUNGER OF THOSE WHO BUILT IT is now available everywhere books are sold. Good Reading calls it “seductively spellbinding” and declares, “Debuts aren’t supposed to be this good.” We couldn’t agree more.
Promotional graphic against a sunset view of the Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine. Beside the orange, teal and purple cover of Wendy Waring’s The Hunger of Those Who Built It is a review quote: “Waring has the unique ability to imagine a world so precisely, so believably, that it would be a surprise if it didn’t materialise. Waring’s seductively spellbinding writing comes from the blending of intellect, imagination and formidable talent. This is the work of a seasoned writer… Debuts aren’t supposed to be this good.” — Good Reading magazine. Below are the Stelliform Press logo and the words “Now available everywhere books are sold.”
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Tony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
An interview with Paul Theroux at 85 by @simonkuper.bsky.social. as.ft.com/r/a701120c-3...
as.ft.com
Paul Theroux: ‘I’m not an angry old man. I just feel lucky. I still feel vital’
The pioneering writer on the problem with luxury hotels, how not to be a tourist and why he’s still travelling solo at 85
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Wendy Waring @wendywaring.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Just a reminder: My novel THE HUNGER OF THOSE WHO BUILT IT launches this week at The City & The City bookstore in Hamilton on 10 September, 7-9 pm.
A poster in orange and purple outlining the details of a launch, with Eiffel Tower, author photo of a smiling Wendy Waring, and photo of guest David Neil Lee.
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Joris Luyendijk @jorisluyendijk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Dit kwam net even binnen. 300 jassen! Dat is genoeg voor een heel weeshuis. Letterlijk. En daar zijn ze ook voor bedoeld. Zo'n zorg minder nu in dat weeshuis in Odesa. Als de winter komt, hebben de kinderen een warme jas. Mijn dag kan niet meer stuk. Doneren kan hier: whydonate.com/fundraising/...
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Catherine E. de Vries @catherinedevries.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
We’re hiring! Poli Sci & IR department at IE University in Madrid is hiring three tenure-track Assistant Professors, starting 1st of September 2027, in: Comparative Politics: lnkd.in/ePDfwjJB International Relations: lnkd.in/eDu5vGTf Political Economy: lnkd.in/eciDukTA 1/3
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My Q&A with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center about football, politics, and the Holocaust and German occupation in the Netherlands. Also some discussion of learnings from the recent World Cup vimeo.com/1221298279?s...
vimeo.com
Football, History and Society: A Discussion with Simon Kuper
Thank you for joining us for Football, History and Society: A Discussion with Simon Kuper, hosted by the VHEC in partnership with the Montreal Holocaust Museum. This recording features an introduction...
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Neil Miles @neilsmiles.com · 17/08/2026
29th August 1985 - An excited Michael Fish gets to deploy the rarely seen red number as the temperature gets up to an incredible 26 degrees in London!
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Maybe 'the media' is a blanket term that covers thousands of outlets and millions of journalists of very different kinds, so isn't very useful as a descriptor
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Becoming a parent is a pretty big life event. How does it change people? That's the central question of Birth of a Parent, a new podcast from the Van Leer Foundation, hosted by Michael Feigelson. Listen and follow: earlychildhoodmatters.online/birth-of-a-p...
earlychildhoodmatters.online
Birth of a Parent Podcast
A podcast about how becoming a parent transforms who we are — and what we’re capable of.
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Edward Luce @edwardluce.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
“Any Democrat associated with Aipac — a dwindling band — has a vanishing chance of becoming their party’s 2028 nominee.” Me on how Israel is splitting Dems. www.ft.com/content/07ae...
ft.com
The Democrats’ civil war over Israel is getting worse
While the party fractures over Middle East policy, it is ignoring the threat posed by AI and social media
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Lovely to see that audiobooks are now available through Bookshop.org. Get your copy of World Cup Fever in audio through Bookshop.org and support independent bookshops across the UK: tinyurl.com/WorldCupFeverAudiobook @profilebooks.bsky.social @bookshop.org
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
not what I'm claiming but no matter
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
No, because it's impossible to identify the 7-year-olds who are going to be great 23-year-olds. Only solution is to invest in a whole country playing
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Amateur football touches millions of European kids. A very small group within that ever plays in pro academies. You're conflating the two systems
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Much too kind but thanks, James
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
After 24 years as an FT columnist, this is my last column. It's not as drastic as that - I'm going to become an FT feature writer (after much-needed long holiday). Me @financialtimes.com on my method for writing column, how I learned to be shouted at, 2016 etc. Free link as.ft.com/r/aebbeadf-5...
as.ft.com
My life as a columnist is divided in two: before Brexit and after
The events of 2016 revised my worldview and taught me how to be shouted at
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The story in this book by @simonkuper.bsky.social is very relevant to Spain’s dominant win of the #WorldCup. And it’s a great read. #UrbanismBookClub
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Francesc Trillas Jané @francesctrillas.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
"Best pundit: Thierry Henry. He knows football, loves football, and can explain it in his second language"
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Me @financialtimes.com on the best team in the world that won this World Cup (and almost everything else recently) based on a national football culture that everyone in Spain learns aged six. Any other winner would have been a travesty. Felicidades - and free link: as.ft.com/r/57316316-6...
as.ft.com
Spain outplay Messi’s Argentina to reach World Cup summit
Tournament’s best team wins one-sided final 1-0 and claims clutch of individual prizes
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Me @financialtimes.com on the best team in the world that won this World Cup (and almost everything else recently) based on a national football culture that everyone in Spain learns aged six. Any other winner would have been a travesty. Felicidades - and free link: as.ft.com/r/57316316-6...
as.ft.com
Spain outplay Messi’s Argentina to reach World Cup summit
Tournament’s best team wins one-sided final 1-0 and claims clutch of individual prizes
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douwe @dwskkm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
El cruyffismo beat Argentina. #wezijnwereldkampioen
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
My World Cup awards. Best goal, best miss, worst ref, Villain of the tournament, Cinderella, Beautiful Loser, best host city, best player who isn't Leo Messi and more. Free link as.ft.com/r/3eb7c523-5...
as.ft.com
Heroes, villains and clowns: Simon Kuper’s World Cup awards
With Fifa a bit short on credibility, the FT columnist has stepped in to create his own prizes
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Tony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Heroes, villains and clowns: @simonkuper.bsky.social’s World Cup awards as.ft.com/r/0ad23d6b-5...
as.ft.com
Heroes, villains and clowns: Simon Kuper’s World Cup awards
With Fifa a bit short on credibility, the FT columnist has stepped in to create his own prizes
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
My @financialtimes.com profile of Lamine Yamal, most successful young footballer in history, the star who's just a cog in this Spain side - and not even the biggest star in his family. On Sunday he may put poor Donald Trump in a terrible situation. Free link as.ft.com/r/0f5c15b0-9...
as.ft.com
Lamine Yamal: the baby in a bath tub who became a crucial cog for Spain
Posing an almost insoluble dual threat to defenders, the teenager may be the most successful young footballer in history
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Nobutnothanks @nobutnothanks.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Winterjasjes voor komende winter voor kinderen die geen mama of papa meer hebben. Mijn hart breekt bij het typen van voorgaande zin. Weg ouders… Een oorlog die niet lijkt op te houden… Als je iets kan missen… Alsjeblieft help dan… Is het niet voor deze actie voor Oekraïne, dan wel voor een andere…
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Me @financialtimes.com on Leo Messi's long and winding road with Argentina until he became the emblem of his country way beyond football. From a weeping family in the taxi leaving Rosário through Easyjet flights to a stadium full of people who come from the land of Messi as.ft.com/r/91af4709-9...
as.ft.com
Lionel Messi, Argentine legend with nothing left to prove
As he plays his third World Cup final, the star has created an alternative global hierarchy
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
My @financialtimes.com profile of Lamine Yamal, most successful young footballer in history, the star who's just a cog in this Spain side - and not even the biggest star in his family. On Sunday he may put poor Donald Trump in a terrible situation. Free link as.ft.com/r/0f5c15b0-9...
as.ft.com
Lamine Yamal: the baby in a bath tub who became a crucial cog for Spain
Posing an almost insoluble dual threat to defenders, the teenager may be the most successful young footballer in history
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Here again my piece on how England self-sabotaged, deserved to go out, and didn't even achieve heroic defeat. What did they think would happen if they let Messi camp in their penalty area for 40 minutes? Me @financialtimes.com on atavistic English instincts. New free link as.ft.com/r/30261ec1-b...
as.ft.com
Messi punishes England to drive Argentina into World Cup final
Reigning men’s champions celebrate comeback 2-1 win after opponents retreat into defensive shell
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Part of the joy of this World Cup has been watching geniuses deliver (most of the time anyway). Messi, Haaland, Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Mbappé. Me @financialtimes.com on how football on the field has shifted to a version of the Hollywood star system. Good for humanity as.ft.com/r/1e596aab-8...
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Holland went out weeks ago
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
My report from Atlanta on a witless England reverting to ancestral type. Free link as.ft.com/r/08d296e9-b...
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
and yes, I know, I also wrote a profile of Didier Deschamps, natural leader. Still true, but tactically France (like everyone else) were two tiers below Spain
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
For no particular reason, I'm reposting my piece on the history and secrets of Spain's impenetrable defence, made in 1960s' Amsterdam. Free link as.ft.com/r/09667276-0... @financialtimes.com as.ft.com/r/ff9c7de9-c...
as.ft.com
The secret of Spain’s impenetrable World Cup defence
‘La Roja’ have not conceded a goal in the tournament despite aiming to have every outfield player in the other team’s half
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
El cruyffismo beat France
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
My Deschamps profile with new free link, as old one seems to have expired as.ft.com/r/0ad822f0-0...
as.ft.com
France’s Didier Deschamps tilts for a third — and final — World Cup
How a gruff footballer from the Basque Country became one of the national team’s most respected leaders
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
For anyone who has developed an obsession with Erling Haaland, including his 66 million Instagram followers, let me recommend Lars Sivertsen's lovely and deeply informed biography www.penguin.co.uk/books/457689...
amazon.com
Amazon.com: Haaland: The Biography: 9781529913118: Sivertsen, Lars: Books
Amazon.com: Haaland: The Biography: 9781529913118: Sivertsen, Lars: Books
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
In a country that despises most of its leaders, the French coach Didier Deschamps has had universal respect for decades. Me @financialtimes.com on one of two Basque coaches in today's semi, whose natural leadership was revealed in a terrible moment aged 16. Free link as.ft.com/r/49ceb6da-1...
as.ft.com
France’s Didier Deschamps tilts for a third — and final — World Cup
How a gruff footballer from the Basque Country became one of the national team’s most respected leaders
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Here's my article on Western Europe's strength in football, with new free link (old one expired). For people who think a. football dominance is just about having money, or b. that I'm connecting this to European 'race' or some such nonsense, why not try reading the article? as.ft.com/r/32e28a83-7...
as.ft.com
How western Europe became a formidable football factory
National teams from the region have dominated the top three placings in the World Cup since 2006
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Simon Kuper @simonkuper.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The US is very rich, the Gulf is very rich, but they aren't good at football. Portugal and Croatia are not very rich but they are good at football. Interesting, isn't it?
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