Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia — four FM26 national team tactics built from each country's footballing culture, history and current head coach, kicking off the 12-part Road to the World Cup series.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just a few weeks away now, and with the domestic season now complete, fans around the world are dreaming that their nation will win the most prestigious trophy in the world.
This is the first part of a twelve-part article series where I take multiple, key facets of each nation at this year's FIFA World Cup tournament — including each nation's footballing culture, history, and current tactics — to create a tactic for every single nation that symbolises the culture, the history, and the people of each country. The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate festival of football, so it's the perfect time to celebrate and embrace all involved.
Mexico
El Tricolor are one of three nations hosting this year's FIFA World Cup, with the great footballing arenas — such as the Estadio Azteca and the Estadio Guadalajara — ready and eagerly waiting to host their national team across all three of their group games this summer. Mexico have reached the Quarter-Finals of the competition on two, separate occasions, representing the nation's most successful World Cup campaigns. Intriguingly enough, both Quarter-Final exits came in years wherefrom the nation hosted the World Cup (1970, 1986) — will lightning strike thrice?!
Mexican 'futbol' is largely characterised by its attacking prowess and the nation's creativity and flair is often portrayed through dazzling dribbles from its most ingenious talents. The country's proficiency and commitment to attacking football was showcased recently at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with the National Team playing a rich, offensive style during the tournament. Over the years, the nation has birthed masterfully technical dribblers of the ball in abundance and, as such, it's become a core facet of the National Team's identity on the pitch; over the years, Mexican sides have utilised this to great effect at times, with the team keeping possession in a 'deliberate build-up', before feeding one of their supreme, wide players.
Javi Aguirre's Mexico side are tactically flexible, combining the sheer abilities of the players at his disposal and modern structures to simplify their play and maximise the best qualities of each. In general, when they don't have the ball, Aguirre's Mexico will tend to sit off the opposition, preserving a compact 5-3-2 out-of-possession shape within a mid/low-block. However, despite this tendency, the team did win possession in the opposition's final third more frequently than any other side at the 2024 Copa America — this suggests that his Mexico side might frequently step up and initiate a high-press if the conditions suffice.
With the ball at their feet, Aguirre's Mexico set up in a 3-2-5 in-possession shape that can situationally drift into variants of a 3-3-4 or 3-4-2-1. To do this, one of the full-backs (typically the left-back) will move higher and wider which allows the left-winger to sit narrower, whilst one of the central midfielders (within the team's 4-3-3 formation) shuffles across to sit within the right half-space; the right-winger holds the team's width on the right, whilst the right-back tucks in to form the team's back-three with the two centre-backs.
Aguirre's Mexico are typically a possession-dominant outfit, regularly surpassing 60% possession per game. A contributing factor to this is his team's commitment to building up play from deep — Edson Alvarez tends to be an important part of their build-up, using decisive, short passes to circulate possession. This emphasis on short passes is also a repetitive feature higher up the pitch, as Mexico will often create wide triangles to retain possession and draw the opposition across to one side of the pitch, allowing Raul Jimenez to detach from his marker and run beyond the opposition's defence. Despite largely aiming to control games through short passes, Aguirre's Mexico can be a bit more direct at times, often bypassing the opposition's high press to find Raul Jimenez, of whom can hold up play and lay off the ball to a team-mate. Additionally, Mexico have proven to be quite proficient in counter-attacking upon regaining possession and even showcasing a strong ability from set-pieces.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
In possession, I've tried to combine Javi Aguirre's principles of possession-dominance, the side's tendency to 'tilt' to one side of the pitch (wide triangles), and the nation's creative, dribbling-based football culture. By asking the 'keeper to distribute short, I ask the 'keeper to initiate our possession-based game from deep — however, should the opposition press high, I want the 'keeper to bypass the press. By encouraging dribbling from the team, I am embracing this facet of Mexico's football culture, just within the structural confines of Aguirre's 3-2-5 in-possession shape: 'Controlled Chaos', we could say... Furthermore, the additions of 'Pass Into Space' and 'Counter-Attack' ensure we relate to the nation's historical, attacking prowess and commitment to capturing the hearts and emotions of the immensely passionate Mexican fandom.
Out of Possession
Out of possession, I've largely recreated what Aguirre's Mexico side do when they don't have the ball. When we don't have the ball, I've instructed the team to set up in a familiar, 5-3-2 mid-block — to ensure compactness, the defensive line is instructed to hold a higher line, whilst our entire team are encouraged to close down the opposition often and engage in aggressive duels. To further encourage compactness, I applied the 'Trap Outside' team instruction to close off central passing options for the opposition. For a deeper look at how pressing triggers and engagement lines combine in FM26, our FM26 pressing principles guide is an excellent companion read.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
To ensure our higher defensive line isn't exposed too often, I wanted the 'keeper to be active in sweeping in-behind our defence.
Inside Full-Back | Centre-Back
This role reflects the right-back's role within Javi Aguirre's Mexico side: starting wide before tucking in to form the side's back-three in-possession. However, I added the 'Make More Runs' instruction to optimise the conditions for the side's wide triangles that I previously alluded to. For a detailed look at how Inside Full-Back combinations with attacking midfielders create these wide triangles, our FM26 role synergy guide covers the exact pairings in depth.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Advanced Wing-Back | Wing-Back
This role reflects the role of Jesus Gallardo under Javi Aguirre, moving really high and wide on the left side to hold the team's width along the last line of attack. I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Cross From: Byline' instructions to optimise his attacking output.
Defensive Midfielder | Screening Defensive Midfielder
Edson Alvarez tends to remain central in midfield, being a 'wall pass' option who can simply lay the ball off short to a team-mate. I decided to use the 'Screening Defensive Midfielder' role to ensure structure in our 5-3-2 out-of-possession shape, as I found he was veering far away from the ideal, defensive midfield position.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Central Midfielder
To balance the midfield, along with providing us with a 'pressure valve' in possession and a deep, progressive passer, I decided on the 'Deep-Lying Playmaker' role. I added the 'Stay Wider' instruction to encourage him to move wide to form our wide triangle on the left.
Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder
This role is important in forming our 3-2-5 in-possession shape, as this midfielder will push higher. I added the 'Stay Wider' instruction, like with the 'Deep-Lying Playmaker', to help form our wide triangles. I also added the 'Make More Runs' instruction to offer the team consistent runs in-behind the opposition's defence, particularly when the striker situationally drops off the frontline.
Winger | Wing-Back
In this position, I blended the tactical requirements of the right-winger in Javi Aguirre's system (Stay Wider) with the Mexican culture and history of dribbling, wide players who were never afraid to take on their man (Dribble More). I added the 'Take More Risks' instruction to encourage this player to find the underlapping run in-behind the opposition's defence from our right-sided midfielder.
Inside Forward | Tracking Centre Forward
Once more, I blended the tactical requirements of Aguirre's system and the Mexican culture to forge this particular role. The left winger moves inside to allow the left-back to hold the width, whilst possessing the initiative to readily take on his man. This role also urges the winger to make runs in-behind, providing us with at least two players providing depth to our attacks.
Target Forward | Centre Forward
This role is perfect for Raul Jimenez, as it allows him to be in the perfect positions to receive the long balls forward from the 'keeper when he's under pressure. This role will also see Jimenez situationally dropping between the lines to receive, which I've allowed for with at least two players being ready to surge beyond the striker. Finally, he is asked to 'Move Into Channels' to escape his marker once we've dragged the opposition across to one side.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Third Place
South Africa
South Africa returns to the centre stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, the year when the nation famously hosted the tournament to crowds ringing around the iconic sounds of the vuvuzelas! Back then, Siphiwe Tshabalala stole the hearts of many around the world — not least, the South African faithful — with his memorable goal against Mexico (of whom, South Africa will face again this summer!) erecting the illustrious "Goal for South Africa! Goal for all Africa!" commentary. This summer, the likes of Burnley striker, Lyle Foster, will be looking to replicate such Bafana Bafana joy!
In recent years, the South African Football Association (SAFA) formed the South African Football Philosophy (SAFP). SAFP consisted of three, key components:
- Ubuntu: Collective spirit of teamwork, compassion, and unity.
- Tsamaya: Skilful, deceptive movement often expressed through dribbling and control.
- Phakathi: Tactical discipline and purposeful play, ensuring skill translates to results.
This produces a game that is expressive within structure, utilising high-pressing, quick transitions, and creativity in attack — 'SuperDiski'.
Hugo Broos' South Africa side are a possession-based team, using a lot of short passes to retain and progress the ball through the opposition. Their possession-based style is actually modelled on the country's most successful club: Mamelodi Sundowns, of whom play a faux-tiki-taka style of play. Broos' side are obsessed with building up play from deep, with the 'keeper often moving higher to join the centre-backs in build-up. Additionally, South Africa are aggressive in their positioning during build-up, often trying to overload the opposition's defensive line even as early as from goal-kick situations.
From an initial 4-2-3-1 formation (although, a 3-4-3 is also used often), South Africa usually transitions into a 3-2-5 in-possession shape, with the left-back moving high and wide to allow the left winger to move centrally; this structure gives South Africa optimal conditions to reliably shift possession from one player to another. A major facet of South Africa's possession game within this 3-2-5 structure is their strategic, yet spontaneous central clusters — from here, players can use quick, short passes to link up and draw the opposition into narrow, central areas, vacating space on the wings for South Africa's width-holders to exploit. South Africa are not wedded to the 3-2-5 in-possession structure, however, as they can seamlessly switch to a 3-1-6 to apply further pressure to the opposition's rearguard. Finally, when they don't have the ball, Broos' side will usually press high and in a man-to-man fashion.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I tried to combine the SAFP — particularly 'Tsamaya' and 'Phakathi' — and Hugo Broos' tactical ideology, formulating a system that is possession-dominant and controlling, with a sprinkling of creativity and expression, primarily through the encouragement of dribbling. Furthermore, I added the 'Much Narrower' attacking width to prompt the central clusters I previously alluded to. The team are encouraged to patiently play through the opposition's press, using short passes in deeper areas.
Out of Possession
Here, I combined the 'Ubuntu' component of the SAFP and Hugo Broos' tactical philosophy to forge a compact, disciplined, and yet aggressive high-pressing system, with a focus on preventing the opposition's build-up through using a man-to-man approach from an initial, zonal 4-4-1-1 shape.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
This role reflects the role of South Africa's 'keeper tactically, of whom steps up to become the extra man in the side's build-up. He's instructed to be active in sweeping in-behind our high defensive line.
Inside Full-Back | Full-Back
This role represents the role of South Africa's right-back, who will typically remain deeper, to form a back-three, and wider.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
This role reflects the role of the left-back in Hugo Broos' South Africa side, wherefrom the left-back will move higher and wider on the left.
Box-To-Box Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
This role is perfect for replicating the side's structural flexibility to go from a 3-2-5 to a 3-1-6 in-possession shape seamlessly. I added the 'Move Into Channels' instruction to help create the side's situational 3-1-6 in-possession shape.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Advanced Playmaker | Attacking Midfielder
This role reflects the 'dropping' of two 'attacking midfielders' within South Africa's 3-1-6 in-possession shape, wherefrom they both 'drop' into the half-spaces to create space for Lyle Foster to run in-behind the opposition's defence. I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to allow for more expression and spontaneity of movement.
Winger | Wide Midfielder
This role reflects the positioning of the right winger in South Africa's system, whilst the 'Stay Wider' instruction makes sure he holds the width for the team on the right side.
Inside Forward | Wide Midfielder
On the left, I chose this role to represent South Africa's 'positional play' approach under Hugo Broos, with the left winger instructed to sit narrower. This role, rather than the 'Inside Winger' role, prompts the player to frequently make runs in-behind the defence — with three central playmakers in the team, this represents a dangerous form of attacks for us.
Centre Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Second Round
South Korea
South Korea, this summer, are set to compete in their eleventh World Cup in a row, a marvellous run spanning from 1986 to the present day. In that glorious 40-year span, they have had the privilege of co-hosting the World Cup on one occasion, along with Japan, in 2002. They used their home soil to their advantage, as they stunned the world to reach the World Cup Semi-Finals, before eventually finishing fourth place. The likes of Heung-Min Son and Kang-In Lee will be hoping to lead their nation to a similar feat this summer, or maybe even eclipse the success...!
Guus Hiddink was the manager who guided South Korea to the World Cup Semi-Finals in 2002 and, as a result of this success, he was given honorary citizenship — the relationship between the Dutch coach and the nation is simply beautiful. The tactics Hiddink used in this campaign were pretty simple: South Korea set up in a 3-4-3 formation, concentrated on defensive solidity and betting on sudden, quick counter-attacks. Hiddink made South Korea 'physically intimidating'.
South Korean football, in recent years, has actually undergone (and is still undergoing) a slight shift towards a more physical, direct style of play, with a drastic overperformance from Gangwon FC, domestically, pioneering this evolution. The nation has also 'militarised' its football approach tactically, looking to embrace structure and instil tactical discipline. This emphasis on structure did, unfortunately, lead to stifling of players' adaptability and creativity, which became evident at senior level of football in the country. To find out why, the Korean Football Association (KFA) took data from FIFA tournaments to compare the nation's performance with its competitors. Upon conducting their research, the KFA identified four key concerns and erected a strategy to tackle them, with an emphasis on preserving the country's national identity: 'Fast, Fearless, Focused' — "Made in Korea" was formed, an approach designed to maximise the nation's traditional strengths and encourage players to take risks on the pitch and with the ball at their feet.
Hong Myung-Bo has implemented a safety-first, 'defensive' approach with the South Korea national team, rooted in minimising the number of goals being conceded and leaning on the team's utmost talented players to produce moments of individual quality. However, Hong Myung-Bo isn't just a 'counter-attacking manager' — his South Korea side will tend to keep the ball on the ground and will even look to play through opponent's pressure by using the 'keeper as the extra man in build-up. After all, Hong Myung-Bo, himself, was a rather technical player in his playing days; Hong Myung-Bo was a centre-back, however, his technical quality surpassed most in the world, as he was known as the 'Beckenbauer of Asia'... both by name and by nature. Like the German legend, Hong Myung-Bo would often step into midfield in a very resonant 'sweeper' (libero) role. Additionally, despite his 'defensive' approach, Hong Myung-Bo's side will still actively press high, forcing the opposition into wide areas. Finally, his side will tend to defend in a compact 5-3-2 shape.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I blended the ideas of Guus Hiddink's 2002 South Korea side, the KFA's "Made in Korea" approach, and the tactical ideology of Hong Myung-Bo as the current manager. The team will build up meticulously in deeper areas, however, will readily bypass the press if under excessive pressure from the opposition. Players are urged to make riskier passes in-behind the opposition's defence to find the likes of Heung-Min Son, just within the confines of a disciplined, structured in-possession shape. Players are encouraged to quicken the play, especially in the event of counter-attacking upon regaining possession.
Out of Possession
Here, I've largely recreated what we see from Hong Myung-Bo's South Korea side when they don't have the ball. They will actively press high, with a high defensive line to compact the midfield space but will readily drop off to preserve defensive discipline. Furthermore, they aim to force the opposition into wide areas.
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
As aforementioned, the 'keeper is a key component of South Korea's build-up approach, immediately joining the centre-backs ahead of him to create a 7-man build-up structure for the team.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
This role is specifically tailored to 'lean on' the qualities of one of South Korea's best players, in alignment with Hong Myung-Bo's ideas. Both wider centre-backs are instructed to be more aggressive in marking and duelling opposing attackers in the half-spaces.
Advanced Centre-Back | Covering Centre-Back
This role replicates Hong Myung-Bo's tendency to step up into midfield in his playing days, along with his tendency to drop off slightly to sweep in-behind his team's defensive line.
Wide Centre-Back | Centre-Back
The left-sided centre-back, in South Korea's system, will typically move wider, whilst the central centre-back will shift across slightly, to create space for the 'keeper to occupy to form the side's 4-2 build-up shape.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both wing-backs, in this system, will tend to hold the width. However, the right wing-back will usually stay a tad deeper to aid build-up at times. I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Cross From: Byline' instructions to add more attacking thrust to his role, however. Furthermore, I applied the 'Take Fewer Risks' and 'Shorter Passes' instructions to prompt him to more readily lay off a simple pass to Kang-In Lee, of whom can use his individual quality to carry the side to victory.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
On the left-side, the left wing-back is typically the more aggressive and attacking of the two wing-backs. Like the right wing-back, I applied the 'Dribble More' instruction to add extra thrust to his game on-the-ball. However, I also added the 'Take More Risks' instruction to urge him to find the penetrative runs in-behind from Heung-Min Son ahead of him.
Defensive Midfielder | Screening Defensive Midfielder
This role epitomises the term 'water-carrier', as it is tailored to simply distribute the ball short to players around the player, such as Kang-In Lee ahead of him, in-line with Hong Myung-Bo's reliance on the nation's best talent. All three midfielders are 'Screening' to promote defensive solidity and thoughtfulness.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Screening Central Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Free Role | Screening Central Midfielder
On the ball, I wanted to give Kang-In Lee a free role that represents his top-class, technical ability. This role gives him the freedom to roam (within structure — 'Move Into Channels') and create moments of game-winning magic.
Inside Forward | Centre Forward
Heung-Min Son is, by far, the team's best, most talented player. As such, he's given licence to be more selfish with the ball at his feet in the aim of producing a moment of crucial quality. This consists of dribbling more, taking more risks, and shooting more often.
Centre Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Quarter Final
Czechia
Czechia return to the World Cup stage after a 20-year hiatus, a hiatus in which they gradually transitioned from one talented generation to the next. Czechia have a proud history in international football, particularly in the World Cup — the nation has finished as runners-up on two, separate occasions (1934, 1962). This summer, they will be hoping the likes of Patrik Schick, Adam Hlozek, and co can take the nation all the way and achieve unprecedented success.
Over the course of the last 30-or-so years, the nation has undergone multiple, tactical transitions with a flurry of contrasting approaches being used at different times. For instance, their Euro '96 side (of which reached the Final of the competition!) were very pragmatic and defensively solid, focusing on tactical discipline and lethal counter-attacks, whereas their Euro 2004 side (of which reached the Semi-Finals of the competition, displaying a 'golden generation's' proficiency in knockout football!) were actually rather hell-bent on attacking, using an aggressive 4-1-3-2 formation. Nowadays, the Czechia style of play is largely influenced by club outfit, Slavia Prague. Slavia Prague plays an outstanding style of football that fans adore: they press high, attack with relentlessness, and often show glimpses of football akin to that of the famous 'tiki-taka' style of play. This domestic dominance has actually led to a new era of Czech football, with 'outdated' sides languishing down the league table as a result of playing a more defensive, pragmatic style of play. Slavia Prague have also influenced the nation's coaching of players, with the recent emergence of 'Coerver Coaching' — this style of coaching promotes creativity.
Miroslav Koubek's Czechia set up in an initial 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 formation — however, they rarely ever represent this formation when the team have the ball, as the right wing-back will push very high and wide to help create a faux 4-2-3-1/4-2-4 shape, whilst the left wing-back stays a little deeper in comparison. In build-up, Czechia will often shift to a 4-1-5 shape, with the 'right centre-back' shifting across to a typical 'right-back' position and one of the double-pivot remaining deeper, allowing the other to progress higher up the pitch.
By having numbers higher up the pitch Czechia have ideal conditions in place to win second balls after the 'keeper goes long towards Schick up front — they have no issue with playing a slightly scrappier game in primarily trying to win duels and second balls if the game demands it. In fact, direct passes from the 'keeper and centre-backs up to the target man up front is, indeed, a consistent pattern of their play. Additionally, there is an emphasis on getting the ball wide and creating wide triangles on each side — from here, the players within each triangle work together to get into optimal, crossing positions, and Czechia are a very cross-heavy team under Miroslav Koubek. Furthermore, Koubek would instruct players to take many shots at goal if the opposition's 'keeper was weak or in poor form. Finally, when they don't have the ball, Koubek's Czechia will transition into a 5-3-2 formation, wherefrom they will largely focus on marking man-to-man across the pitch from an initial, compact structure.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've blended the attacking philosophy of the 2004 side, the discipline and emphasis on counter-attacks of the 1996 side, and the tactical ideology of the present-day side under Miroslav Koubek. From build-up, the 'keeper is instructed to go long towards the target man, of whom will lay the ball off to the players around him ('Much Narrower'). The team is urged to focus play down the flanks to erect the intentions of our wide triangles, before looking for the overlaps (right) and underlaps (left) and constantly swinging in crosses. Finally, the team is instructed to counter-attack quickly upon regaining possession of the ball.
Out of Possession
Here, I've largely replicated what Koubek's Czechia side does without the ball in real life: pressing high, stepping up more often to initiate further high-pressure, and counter-pressing to try and quickly regain the ball.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
The 'keeper is asked to be more direct on the ball to find the target man, whilst, out-of-possession, it's important that he is active in sweeping loose balls in-behind the high line.
Full-Back | Centre-Back
The 'right centre-back' moves out to a typical 'right-back' position, hence the 'Full-Back' role — the 'Sit Narrower' instruction instructs him to sit closer to the other two centre-backs, whilst the 'Dribble More' and 'Run Wide with Ball' instructions encourages him to blood smooth relationships with wide players on the right within the wide triangle. To add an extra layer of structure to our wide triangle, with this 'right-back' largely being a 'right centre-back', I added the 'Shorter Passing' and 'Cross From: Deep' instructions to ensure this player retains a solid rest defence position.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
Both centre-backs are urged to avoid making risky decisions and/or passes, rather opting to go long with the ball at their feet — essentially two 'No-Nonsense Centre-Backs', just with added thoughtfulness before booting the ball upfield.
Wing-Back | Wing-Back
The 'left wing-back', in this system, plays a similar role to that of the 'right centre-back' I previously stated, initially sitting narrower (although, this is more in the case of being in an optimal rest defence position) before running wide with the ball and carrying the ball forward to help forge our wide triangle/s. From here, like the 'right centre-back', he is instructed to cross from deep — however, he is also encouraged to find the penetrative runs from the 'Box-To-Box Midfielder' in the left half-space.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
To avoid any potential mistakes in-possession, the holding midfielder is instructed to simply and decisively lay possession off to a team-mate.
Box-To-Box Midfielder | Central Midfielder
In this position, I wanted to completely maximise the unique skillset that Tomas Soucek possesses, and that is his elite ability to crash the box late and score important goals. This role perfects exactly what I want from him, as it encourages him to get forward and crash the box often. I added the 'Stay Wider' role to demand him to move wide and support our wide triangle on the left side, whilst the 'Make More Runs' instruction gives him licence to readily attack the penalty area. Furthermore, I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to ensure that he wasn't restricted in just attacking the left half-space with penetrative runs.
Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder
In this position, Hlozek is encouraged to be creative (Coerver Coaching) by taking on his man often and taking more risks with the ball at his feet, whilst being instructed to move wide to supplement our wide triangle on the right.
Winger | Wing-Back
This role replicates the extremely high and wide positioning from Coufal under Koubek, whilst the majority of player instructions ('Shoot Less Often', 'Take Fewer Risks', etc.) make up for the fact that... well, it's a right-back that is playing in this position — not an actual winger. Coufal is asked to make more runs to offer a constant, overlapping option for Hlozek, wherefrom he is asked to reach the byline.
Winger | Attacking Midfielder
I wanted the 'left 10/left winger' in this system to also hold the width like the 'right wing-back'. From here, Slavia Prague's 'Coerver Coaching' comes into play again with the inclusion of 'Dribble More' and 'Take More Risks', whilst the 'Shoot Less Often' instruction prevents needless shots being taken from range.
Target Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Runners-Up
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the first 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. For more FM26 tactical recreations from across the globe, browse the full 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!
