Four national team tactics built from culture and history — Garcia's false-nine Belgium, Hassan's 3-5-2 Egypt, Ghalenoei's Iran and Bazeley's New Zealand.
Welcome to the seventh part of FM Blog's twelve-part series, 'Football Heritage — FM Blog's Road to the World Cup'. In this article, I will be going through all four nations in Group G, their respective World Cup histories, their respective football cultures, and their respective, current tactics. I hope you enjoy!
Belgium
Belgium arrive into North America to compete in their fourth World Cup in a row, and their 15th tournament in total. The Red Devils have recently been on the back off the country's Golden Generation, with the team vastly underperforming at Euro 2024 and the last World Cup, in Qatar, in 2022. However, now, fuelled by the youthful energy of Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere, among others, Belgium are back on the rise and they will be hoping to down the ghost of World Cup past.
Belgium's rise in football, over the course of the last 20-odd years, has actually come from a decision made in the late 90s-early 00s (dates vary, with different sources stating different timescales): in 2000, following a dismal showing at Euro 2000, the FA's Technical Director — Michel Sablon — spent two days devising a new, national football strategy.
The traditional, but rigid, 4-4-2 that was emblematic of Belgian sides was decisively discarded in favour of a more flexible, progressive 4-3-3 formation that was instantly implemented at every professional football club in the land. Additionally, an extra emphasis on developing technical quality was put in place, with Sablon declaring in a 2014 interview: "...at the heart of our vision was 1v1, the duel... you must offer first the dribble."
Before 2000, Belgium were typically a rather defensively disciplined outfit, with their 1970s sides, under the guidance of Raymond Goethals, renowned for their dogged style of play, whilst their 1980s sides were usually highly disciplined from within a 3-5-2 formation. Belgium was also the home of one of football's most impactful, tactical innovations: the 'Offside Trap', pioneered by Anderlecht boss (at the time), Pierre Sinibaldi.
Rudi Garcia is the man to guide Belgium's new, fresh blood through the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament, in what will be his first competition as the Red Devils' boss. Rudi Garcia is a manager with a vision of playing attacking, possession-based football, all in the pursuit of scoring the extra goal to make the difference in matches. His teams tend to attack down the flanks, with overlaps from full-backs a frequent feature of his football — additionally, he will often use a false nine in attack. When his Belgium side are without the ball, they will often press high in man-to-man fashion before readily dropping off into a mid/low-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've tried to blend what we've seen from Garcia's Belgium thus far and the nation's recent emphasis on technical quality.
Out of Possession
Here, I've combined Rudi Garcia's out-of-possession approach with Pierre Sinibaldi's aforementioned, innovative 'Offside Trap' to devise this defensive system.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Full-Back | Full-Back
Of the two full-backs, the right-back is usually the more disciplined positionally — however, he will still often advance higher to offer overlapping/underlapping runs and try to reach the byline.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
On the left side, the left-back will move quite high and will narrow slightly, allowing Doku to hold the width.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Midfield Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
Tielemans, in this system, is certainly more of a 'Deep-Lying Playmaker' — however, to ensure there is a nod to the revolutionary change to a 4-3-3 within this system, I chose this role in central midfield to allow for the (asymmetric) 4-3-3 shape to take place. From here, Tielemans will tend to drop into the left side to pick up the ball.
Attacking Midfielder | Centre Forward
In this system, Kevin De Bruyne will push high alongside the striker and will tend to attack the half-spaces with penetrative runs in-behind — whilst this does take place more frequently on the right side, it can occur on the left side too, hence the 'Roam From Position' instruction.
(AMR) Winger | Wide Midfielder
Both wingers, in this system, will hug the touchline mostly to create separation from the opposition's full-backs. Upon receiving the ball, both wingers will aggressively take on their men before, usually cutting inside...
(AML) Winger | Wide Midfielder
...however, Doku possesses the autonomy and unpredictability to also cut back outside to reach the byline.
False Nine | Centre Forward
Since Rudi Garcia has taken over, Belgium haven't ever really used a recognised striker, rather opting for a more flexible false nine that, at times, can turn and attack the half-spaces. If you'd like to get the most from this role on your own save, our guide to using the False 9 in Football Manager is worth a read.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Runners-Up
Egypt
Egypt have returned onto the world's stage, after failing to qualify last time out, for the first time since 2018. This year's World Cup will be the fourth World Cup that Egypt has ever competed in — on each of the other three occasions, they have failed to progress beyond the Group Stages every single time, so this summer, led by the likes of Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, Egypt will be hoping to finally break new ground on the international stage.
Egypt is a country that is immensely passionate about football, with the likes of the legendary 'Egyptian King', Mo Salah, and Omar Marmoush flying the flag in the Premier League with incredible pride, inspiring those at home. In Egypt, football is a game often played in the streets and, as such, they developed a more 'haphazard' and 'recreational' way of playing football, with the game in the streets considered to be more 'artsy' than in other places.
Egypt, on the international level, has a rather successful past having won a record number of seven AFCON titles in history. Between 2006 and 2010, Egypt won three consecutive AFCON titles, displaying an overwhelming dominance on the continental level; these sides, under the guidance of Hassan Shehata, played in a rather unique 3-5-2 formation, which included attacking wing-backs, a playmaker on the right side of the pitch, and was well-organised.
Under Hossam Hassan, their current manager, the side has become a lot more fixated on building up play in deeper regions, overloading the opposition, drawing said opposition higher, before going more direct in-behind the opposition's defence for the likes of Salah and Marmoush to chase. They aren't completely averse to a transitional game, however, with the manager actively acknowledging the pace and energy of Salah and Marmoush, as the side will often counter-attack quickly upon regaining the ball. Finally, without the ball, Egypt will often press high in a man-to-man fashion before quickly dropping back into a compact, 5-1-4 low-block... yes, 5-1-4. Not 5-4-1.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've tried to blend Egypt's style of play under Hassan at the moment with the country's 'artsy' street-football ('Be More Expressive').
Out of Possession
Here, I've channelled the impressive organisation of Hassan Shehata's triple-AFCON-winning sides and combined that with the flexible high-press → low-block approach of their current team. The mechanics behind shifting from a high man-to-man press into a compact block are covered in depth in our FM26 pressing principles guide.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this tactic, I've tried to take Egypt's current, usual 4-2-3-1 formation and turn it into a 3-5-2 in-possession shape as a homage to the triple-AFCON-winning team of 2006-10. As such, the right-back is set to this role to complement the role of Mo Salah (IF) — I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Cross From: Byline' instructions to add more attacking thrust to the role.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Inside Full-Back | Full-Back
I chose this role to create the team's back-three in our proposed 3-5-2 in-possession shape.
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Dropping Defensive Midfielder
When Egypt don't have the ball, they will tend to drop into a 5-1-4 low-block — my interpretation of this, in FM26, is using a 'Dropping Defensive Midfielder' to replicate the shape.
No additional instructions.
Midfield Playmaker | Wide Midfielder
Once more, this is a nod to the triple-AFCON-winning side, and their use of a playmaker on the right side of midfield.
No additional instructions.
Wide Midfielder | Wide Midfielder
Here, I tried to recreate a more disciplined 'wing-back' role in a 'Wide Midfielder' role to help create our 3-5-2 in-possession shape. I added the 'Take More Risks' instruction to encourage this player to find the runs in-behind from Marmoush more often.
Attacking Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
This player is asked to attack the channels in case Marmoush doesn't for whatever reason. I added 'Dribble More' as it suited the player's (Emam Ashour) player profile in FM26.
Inside Forward | Tracking Centre Forward
I wanted Salah to move as narrow as possible to essentially play in a right striker position to help create the 3-5-2 in-possession shape I desired. Both strikers, out of possession, were set to 'Tracking Centre Forwards' to help form our compact line of four in the 5-1-4 low-block.
Channel Forward | Tracking Centre Forward
I chose this role for Marmoush as it suited him best, with the added 'Dribble More' instruction to accommodate his 'Runs With Ball Often' trait on his player profile in-game.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Second Round
Iran
Iran are back at the FIFA World Cup for the fourth tournament in a row, and their seventh World Cup in total. Across all six other qualifications, they have never managed to bypass the Group Stages, so this summer they will be looking to finally break that duck.
Admittedly, across my thorough research, I was unable to find much on Iran's footballing culture — however, I was able to discover a lot of their tactical history. For example, their 1972 Asian Cup-winning side were quite offensive-minded, with an emphasis on attacking and scoring goals. A key part of that winning outfit was undoubtedly the late Parviz Ghelichkhani, a talented defensive midfielder that could attack like a forward, dribble like a winger, and defend like a defender. The 2022 Iran side, that competed at the most recent World Cup in Qatar, played a more contrasting style of play to that of the 1972 side, as they largely defended deep, soaking up pressure before attacking on the counter.
Iran's current side, under the guidance of Amir Ghalenoei, plays a nice blend of football that takes parts of both sides' respective styles of play. They can, at times, build up play in deeper areas and are effective in doing so, however, they have no issue going more direct towards the frontline, playing for second balls in midfield. Additionally, they are more than happy to draw in the opposition's high press before bypassing said press to find a striker dropping. When they don't have the ball, Iran can press high in a man-to-man fashion at times, however, they are more likely to drop off into a 4-4-2 mid-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've tried to blend the offensive-mindedness of the 1972 side with the more counter-attacking side of 2022 and the team's current system under Ghalenoei.
Out of Possession
Here, I've replicated what we've seen from Iran in-real-life.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
No additional instructions.
(DR & DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will move wider.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Box-To-Box Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
This role, and its instructions, are a homage to the late Parviz Ghelichkhani.
Shadow Striker | Centre Forward
In this system, the two strikers operate on a one-up, one-down basis — however, at times, Iran will only use one striker, hence this role in this position.
No additional instructions.
(AMR & AML) Winger | Wide Midfielder
Both wingers, in this system, will initially stay wider before tucking inside to allow the full-backs to hold the width.
Deep-Lying Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Second Round
New Zealand
New Zealand are back playing in the festival of football that is the FIFA World Cup for the third time in their history, and the first time since 2010 in South Africa. In that tournament in 2010, New Zealand were the only team to go unbeaten in the tournament... and yet didn't win the competition?! Three points from three draws was not enough; this summer, the All Whites will be hoping they can go undefeated for more than just three games!
New Zealand isn't a country, unlike most others in the FIFA World Cup this year, that is enamoured by football. New Zealand, culturally, is more connected to rugby and cricket — however, following the country's hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the sport has quickly gained traction in the country, with a fond female fanbase rapidly growing en masse. Due to this lack of historical football/soccer culture, I was unable to find anything associated between football/soccer and New Zealand's culture. However, I was able to find out a little bit about the team's style of play down the years: for instance, the 1973 side were defensively solid and well-disciplined, using counter-attacks to spearhead their attacking game. They also used a target man up front, whilst Brian Turner was the team's 'creative hub' in midfield.
Darren Bazeley is the man in charge of the All Whites this summer, as they look to bypass the Group Stages of a World Cup for the first time ever. Bazeley's side are very forward-thinking, always looking to make inroads as quickly as possible to destabilise the opposition's defence. Additionally, New Zealand are rather proficient from set-pieces and they are a valuable weapon in the team's arsenal. When they don't have the ball, Bazeley's side won't easily drop too deep, rather maintaining a 4-2-3-1 mid-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've largely recreated what we've seen from Bazeley's side thus far, whilst sprinkling in the disciplined nature and counter-attacking tendencies of their 1973 side.
Out of Possession
Here, I've effectively recreated Bazeley's side's out-of-possession approach.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Full-Back | Full-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
I chose this role as it suited Bindon's player profile in-game best.
No additional instructions.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, Cacace will tend to sit narrower more often, however, not too narrow as if he were inverting into midfield. From this slightly narrower position, he will tend to drive forward with the ball at his feet before crossing from deep to try and find the striker early.
Box-To-Box Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
Marko Stamenic will be one to watch this summer at the World Cup, as he is a really astute technician with a tendency to crash the box late to score goals. This role reflects that perfectly.
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Inside Winger | Wide Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Shadow Striker | Attacking Midfielder
Here, I wanted a role that could complement Chris Wood and his 'Target Forward' role — I felt this role was best.
No additional instructions.
Inside Forward | Wide Midfielder
Once more, I wanted a role that would complement Chris Wood and his role — I felt this did that best.
No additional instructions.
Target Forward | Centre Forward
Chris Wood, despite usually backing into opposition centre-backs to shield the ball, will tend to spin and run into the channels to chase loose balls in-behind.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Second Round
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the seventh part of this twelve-part series: Football Heritage — FM Blog's Road to the World Cup. I hope you have enjoyed this style of writing and content, and keep your eyes peeled for the other eleven parts of this series through DAILY tactic releases from the 31st, May until the 11th, June.
If you want a taste of these symbolic tactics, make sure to download the tactics using the link attached to this article and make sure to follow FM Blog (@fmbIog) and myself (@AshtonGgmu) on our respective socials. You can also browse every system from this series and more in the FM Blog tactics library. I hope you have enjoyed this article, and I wish you much success with these tactics on your saves! Thanks for reading!
