ABSTRACT
Soccer occupies a unique position in society. Its global growth is, arguably, why and how it is able to assert influence and is chosen by nation-states to exert soft power. The impact of globalisation has, undoubtedly, affected the costs associated with player transfers. Clubs have, therefore, sought to identify and develop players who can play in their first team. The social and cultural influences that affect the identification and development of talent in soccer are many and broad. Following a contextual overview, this chapter is comprised of three key sociocultural areas relevant to youth soccer: (a) sociodemographic influences, (b) cultural backgrounds, and (c) birthplace effects. Following these sections, considerations for researchers and practitioners are offered to advance this field of research and underscore key take-home messages. Most notably, although the impact of these areas is becoming better understood, it is important to recognise that social and cultural issues do not occur in isolation, and future studies should attempt to better understand their interconnectedness.
