FIFA experts believe that with the World Cup in North America just a month away, the tournament will showcase some tactical innovations, though perhaps not as radical as those seen in top leagues. The question remains: has everything already been invented in football?
The World Cup is already being felt in Mexico, one of the co-hosting nations. According to specialists from FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG), the first 48-team World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19, is likely to replicate tactical trends that have taken root in recent years, especially in the English Premier League. These include inverted full-backs contributing more to build-up play, man-to-man marking in defense to regain possession quickly and conserve energy in high-temperature matches, and crossing as an offensive weapon.
High pressing, vertical and direct football with long passes and fast transitions, and the absence of a classic No. 10—a role now often performed by advanced midfielders—are among the expected features. However, the TSG also anticipates new contributions.
“We always see innovations, and this World Cup will certainly be no exception,” said Tom Gardner, FIFA’s Head of Football Performance Insights, during a virtual meeting with journalists on Monday.
In past editions, World Cups have been stages for tactical transformations, such as Brazil’s attacking full-backs and five No. 10s in 1970, or Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita’s sweeper-keeper role in 1990. While football, founded at least since 1863, seems to leave little room for surprises, recent years have seen Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique revolutionize the sport with defensive and offensive strategies inspired by other disciplines like rugby and water polo.
However, implementing such maneuvers requires extensive training time, a luxury national team coaches will not have in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. “Rotations like those at PSG likely won’t be seen due to lack of preparation time,” noted former Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, a TSG member. He expects that top teams will leverage individual quality to man-mark weaker opponents, aiming to recover the ball quickly. “By winning the ball back, you impose your rhythm and get a bit of rest,” he said, especially in matches played during peak summer heat. The opponent would then face greater difficulty with accumulated fatigue against more talented sides.
Set pieces and hydration breaks also promise to be tactical tools. In the 2025-26 season, goals from set pieces, particularly corners, have been a talking point for Arsenal under Spanish coach Mikel Arteta. The approach has brought the Gunners close to their first league title in 22 years, and they will face Luis Enrique’s PSG in the Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest. Former Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva, part of Arsenal’s 2004 Premier League-winning squad, noted that such strategies were less common in the past when football was “more about build-up.” “It won’t be a secret weapon at the World Cup, but it will be a weapon for teams that know how to use it,” said Silva, also a TSG member. He added that the method may not dominate due to limited training time for national sides.
What could prove highly beneficial for coaches’ tactical plans is the three-minute hydration break scheduled for the 22nd minute of each half. This measure, implemented for the first time in all World Cup matches regardless of weather conditions, is part of FIFA’s player protection initiative. “These can be a special tactical moment for coaches,” Silva said. “Now they have two additional opportunities, apart from halftime, to make changes. It’s a big advantage if they need to adjust something to improve their game.”
