Four national team tactics built from culture and history — De La Fuente's 4-3-3 Spain, Bubista's Cape Verde, Donis' Saudi Arabia and Bielsa's 3-1-3-3 Uruguay.
Welcome to the eighth 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 H, their respective World Cup histories, their respective football cultures, and their respective, current tactics. I hope you enjoy!
Spain
Spain returns to yet another FIFA World Cup, the country's 17th tournament in their history, this summer in North America. Across their 16 other appearances, they've won the tournament once — of which they won in 2010 — and they will be hoping to add a second World Cup trophy this time round.
Spain and football are a match made in heaven. Fans turn up to league matches across the country en masse and are incredibly loving and passionate about their national team side. Their fans had six years in paradise across 2008-12, as the team won Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2012 in a consecutive winning spree.
These superbly successful six years certainly cemented the country's synonymous style of play: possession-based football, centred around short passes, structure, and constant mobility. For a very long time after their 2012 success, success was few and far between for the national team — despite Spanish club sides tending to dominate across European competition — with the side underperforming at a number of international tournaments... until 2024, where a youthful, energetic side, led by wonderkid Lamine Yamal, stormed to victory in Euro 2024. Their tactics in 2024 were slightly more direct and transitional than classic, successful Spain sides, as they leaned slightly more into the direct, rapid threats of their wingers.
Luis De La Fuente will be looking to replicate the glory of 2024 this summer with the national team, likely using a very similar team to that fruitful team. His side are akin to that of successful Spain sides from down the years, utilising short passes to control games through dominating possession; from a 4-3-3 formation, his team showcases a lot of principles of the famous Juego de Posicion (Positional Play), however, they are a lot more flexible. For a closer look at how the roles in a system like this complement one another, our FM26 role synergy guide breaks down the best combinations.
Additionally, as aforementioned, his Spain side are slightly more direct than other successful Spanish outfits of yesteryear as they will often draw the opposition higher before releasing the likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams into space with direct passes in-behind the opposition's defence. When they don't have the ball, De La Fuente's side will press high in man-to-man fashion often.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've combined the structured, possession-based game historically played by Spain national team sides with the slightly more direct approach used by Luis De La Fuente's side currently and in Euro 2024 ('Shorter' passing, rather than 'Much Shorter'; 'Pass Into Space', etc).
Out of Possession
Here, I've replicated Spain's out-of-possession approach under Luis De La Fuente currently.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
In this system, the 'keeper will move higher to join the centre-backs to make himself the extra man in build-up. I added the 'Dribble More' instruction to encourage the 'keeper to be more adventurous on the ball.
Full-Back | Full-Back
Of the two full-backs, in this system, the right-back is usually the more reserved of the two. Additionally, he will usually sit narrower to allow Lamine Yamal to hold the width higher up.
(DCR) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
(DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
On the left side of defence, Laporte will often carry the ball forward before progressing play with a pass.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
Whilst the right-back is typically more reserved, the left-back will tend to move forward. Initially, he will remain narrower to allow Nico Williams — the left-winger — to hold the width; however, he will usually offer overlapping runs or even manufacture these himself with the ball at his feet by trying to reach the byline with carries forward.
Defensive Midfielder | Central Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Midfield Playmaker | Central Midfielder
In this position, Pedri will often come towards the ball — upon receiving the ball, he will often take on a man in central areas before creating something for his attacking team-mates.
Attacking Midfielder | Centre Forward
On the other side of midfield, the right-sided central midfielder will move into the right half-space and, from here, he will make a lot of runs in-behind to counter the dropping movements of the striker. Without the ball, he will move higher to form a front two with the striker in their 4-4-2 out-of-possession shape.
Winger | Wide Midfielder
Lamine Yamal is surely one of the best players on the planet and I, for one, am absolutely buzzing to watch the first FIFA World Cup tournament of what should be a trophy-laden, legendary career — watching history in motion... what a gift. In this system, Yamal will hold the width on the right and, upon receiving the ball, will look to take on his man constantly, whilst also possessing the quality to consistently find the underlapping runs from the right central midfielder with a more direct pass.
Wide Forward | Wide Midfielder
On the left, Nico Williams plays in a very similar role to Yamal as he will hold the width and, upon receiving the ball, he will look to repeatedly take on his man — the only slight discrepancy is that Nico Williams is usually more ready and willing to make penetrative runs in-behind.
False Nine | Centre Forward
With the national team moving on from Alvaro Morata, Mikel Oyarzabal is very likely to be the starting striker for Spain this summer — however, in this system, Oyarzabal rarely ever plays as a nominal striker, often drifting deeper and into the half-spaces to create space for team-mates to move into.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Cape Verde
Cape Verde are set to make history this summer by competing in their first-ever World Cup campaign, as they look to break further, new ground. They will be dreaming of progressing beyond the Group Stages and start cementing themselves as a solid, respectable World Cup side.
There is a major football-based culture in Cape Verde, likely passed through streets and generations alike due to the country's vast diaspora. However, unfortunately, I was unable to find much credible research regarding the country's footballing culture beyond the fact that its people love following the sport. Despite this, I was able to discover one or two interesting facts regarding the 2013 Cape Verde side, such as José Mourinho's influence on the national team's tactics in this year — this came as a result of the Portuguese manager lending his advice to the national team's manager and side. Additionally, the 2013 side played in a 4-3-3 formation which contained two hard-working central midfielders ahead of a screening, holding midfielder, and two wingers that would invert slightly whilst the striker would stay higher.
Pedro Leitao Brito (Bubista) is the man to guide the country through the often treacherous troughs of the FIFA World Cup, a beautiful culmination of six-and-a-half-years' worth of hard work and dedication leading the National Team. In his time in charge of the National Team, 'Bubista' has fostered a disciplined, hard-to-beat style of play that allows Cape Verde to consistently punch above their weight. However, this doesn't mean the team just sits in a low-block and attempts to survive, as they will actually press out of their mid-block shape often, showing unexpected aggression in their out-of-possession approach. When they have the ball, 'Bubista's' side is quite direct and looks to attack forward quickly, especially on the counter-attack.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here is my replication of 'Bubista's' Cape Verde side with the ball at their feet, featuring their hard-to-beat style and their direct, counter-attacking approach.
Out of Possession
Again, here is my replication of 'Bubista's' Cape Verde side — this time without the ball.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Full-Back | Full-Back
The right-back, in this system, will usually stay a bit deeper than the left-back — from here, he will often tuck inside slightly.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
Whilst the right-back is typically more reserved and will tuck inside slightly, the left-back will usually move higher and wider on the left. I added the 'Dribble More' instruction to exert more attacking thrust from the role on the ball.
(DMCR & DMCL) Defensive Midfielder | Screening Defensive Midfielder
Both holding midfielders are asked to mark specific zones as part of my nod to Cape Verde's previous relations with José Mourinho — Mourinho used this strategy in his time as Real Madrid boss to great effect.
The left-sided defensive midfielder is asked to mark the following position: AMCR
The right-sided defensive midfielder is asked to mark the following position: AMCL
Attacking Midfielder | Tracking Attacking Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Wide Forward | Tracking Wide Midfielder
On the right, the right winger will usually hold the width and attack space in-behind. Upon receiving the ball, he will look to take on his man before cutting inside. I made all three forwards' OOP roles 'Tracking' roles to promote defensive discipline, solidity, and structural compactness.
Winger | Tracking Wide Midfielder
On the left, I wanted a role and corresponding instructions that would be a nod to the 2013 side that used two inverted wingers.
Poacher | Tracking Centre Forward
Again, this role is a nod to the 2013 Cape Verde side, of which had a 'poacher' up front.
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Fourth Place
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, this summer, will be competing at their third World Cup in a row, following their previous exhibitions in 2022 and 2018. This summer's tournament will be the country's seventh World Cup in their history and, as it stands, their first turn-out was their greatest to date, as a wonderful team headlined by Saeed Al-Owairan stunningly reached the Round of 16 at the first time of asking. This time around, they will be looking to eclipse that success of '94.
The 1994 side were incredibly entertaining to watch, as they promoted a clear commitment to attacking — in fact, almost every outfield player was encouraged/able to take on a man with ease before having a pop at goal. A key component of their style of play in '94 was an emphasis on dominating in counter-attacking situations, using quick, short passes in the initial phases of counter-attacks to draw in the opposition before attacking the space in-behind.
Historically, Saudi Arabia have typically been a more technical side than others, possessing a high technical floor that naturally allows them to keep the ball better and for longer periods — this culminated in the two, separate times when Herve Renard was in post as the National Team's Head Coach, where his side looked to dominate possession and took few risks.
Renard was shockingly relieved of his duties in mid-April this year, as the Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFA) decided to go a different route going into the forthcoming World Cup. His replacement? Georgios Donis. With so little time to prepare, especially with the shorter schedules of international football, it'd be bold to predict a starkly different tactical approach going into the World Cup this summer.
However, a few changes have been made thus far: now, Saudi Arabia line up in a 4-4-2 formation, usually with the two strikers sitting on differing 'lines' — one of them is more of a '10', whilst the other remains higher and central. When they don't have the ball, don't expect Saudi Arabia to press high that often — instead, they usually sit off in a very compact mid-block, with the defensive line positioned as high as possible to tempt the opposition to risk the ball over the top.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've combined the quick, short passing, and counter-attacking approach — along with the team's set-piece proficiency — of the 1994 side with the possession-based approach of former Head Coach, Herve Renard.
Out of Possession
Here, I've predominantly replicated the out-of-possession approach used by Saudi Arabia in recent times.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
(DR & DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
All players, barring the left-sided centre-back, have been given the 'Dribble More' and 'Shoot More Often' instructions to represent the 1994 team's adventurous nature in taking on opposition players and shooting more often.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
This was the only defensive midfield role that allowed me to add 'Dribble More'.
Wide Central Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
For this role, I referred to Saudi Arabia's heat map in one of their recent games to discover that the right-sided midfielder will move wider.
Winger | Wide Midfielder
Here, again, I referred to Saudi Arabia's recent heat map that suggests that the right winger will hold the width initially before roaming inside.
Shadow Striker | Tracking Centre Forward
I chose the 'Tracking Centre Forward' role for both of the strikers in our 4-4-2 OOP formation to promote defensive compactness and solidity. The In-Possession role is also a nod to Saudi Arabian legend Saeed Al-Owairan's role in the 1994 side.
Wide Forward | Wide Midfielder
Poacher | Tracking Centre Forward
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Second Round
Uruguay
Uruguay are back on the world's stage, again, for their fifth successive World Cup, and their 15th tournament in their history. Of the 15 World Cups Uruguay have competed in, they have won the competition twice, including the famous, inaugural World Cup trophy in 1930 — almost 100 years ago now. This summer, they will be hoping to add a third World Cup trophy to their history.
Their two World Cup victories came in 1930 and 1950, and this success coincides with the National Team's greatest stretch of dominance as their style of play comprehensively destroyed all in their way. Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano, in 'Football in Sun and Shadow', described their unique style of play in these times: "On the feet of the first Creole virtuosos, el toque, the touch, was born: the ball was strummed as if it were a guitar, a source of music."
This style of football harnessed a beautiful, natural freedom. However, it wasn't all beautiful — there was capacity for, and, perhaps, a need for, some street-wise aggression. An edge. A likeable distaste. In Uruguay, a certain national psyche and mentality has emerged down the years called 'Garra Charrua' — this mentality portrays Uruguay as the perennial underdog in uphill battles against superior others, as they seek to achieve the impossible. It's about resilience and fight, hard work and to be daring — tenacity and courage in the face of adversity, no matter the extremity.
The aforementioned Galeano, within the same book 'Football in Sun and Shadow', portrayed Uruguay's connection with historical, footballing talent and the 'Garra Charrua' mentality: "Like the tango, soccer blossomed in the slums." Uruguay's style of play between the '30s and '50s was characterised by short, quick passes, mobility, and invention; a lot of this, primarily the idea of using short, quick passes, was introduced to Uruguayan football by a Scottish footballer named John Harley — of whom was affectionately nicknamed 'Juan' — after Uruguayan football had initially become enamoured with the English style of play from back then: an emphasis on long balls and excessive dribbling. 'Juan' taught his team-mates at Peñarol to bring the ball down to the ground and link play together, according to his former teammate at Peñarol, Juan Pena.
Marcelo Bielsa is the man to try and reignite the Uruguayan flame this summer, and, in my opinion, he is the best man in the world to do so. Bielsa's style of play combines short, quick passes with an attacking, high-intensity approach that should strongly resonate with the Uruguayan fandom. With the ball, Bielsa's side are quite direct and will look to play the ball in-behind often — however, this is usually upon the base of a more considered, shorter-passing-based platform in build-up. Bielsa's side also look to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, moving the ball at insane speed to keep the opposition chasing.
When they don't have the ball, Uruguay will press high in a man-to-man fashion in alignment with Marcelo Bielsa's stubborn, tactical ideals. The training and principles behind sustaining a man-to-man press like Bielsa's are unpacked in our FM26 pressing principles guide.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've blended the tactical ideologies of Marcelo Bielsa — including what we've seen in his time at Uruguay so far — with the Uruguayan style of play between the '30s and '50s, Uruguayan football's initial taking to English footballing ideas ('Dribble More', for example), and Uruguay's history of wasting time and being street-smart to formulate this in-possession strategy.
Out of Possession
Here, I've predominantly replicated what we've seen from Bielsa's Uruguay without the ball thus far.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Inside Full-Back | Full-Back
I chose this role to help create a 3-1-3-3 in-possession shape that quickly became synonymous with Bielsa sides down the years.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
I chose this role to further help create a 3-1-3-3 in-possession shape, but also because it suited Max Araujo best — I added the 'Dribble More' instruction to try and exert more attacking thrust from the role.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
This role choice is a nod to the famous 'centrojas' role in Uruguayan football, first seen in the National Team in the '30s. Additionally, it's a homage to the aforementioned John Harley for his effect on Uruguayan football, along with him being described as an 'early-20th century Xavi' as he would always make himself available for a pass.
Attacking Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
In this system, Fede Valverde will largely position himself in the right half-space — from here, he will frequently make runs in-behind. However, he isn't tied to the right half-space, as he can roam from his position at times. Upon receiving the ball, Valverde will often drive forward with the ball at his feet through a progressive carry, whilst also possessing the ability to shoot accurately from range.
Free Role | Attacking Midfielder
In this position, I wanted a role that characterises the beautiful movement of Uruguayan football down the years. This role was perfect.
Winger | Wide Midfielder
As part of the 3-1-3-3 in-possession shape, I wanted the right winger to hold the width, as showcased in this role's instructions.
Inside Winger | Wide Midfielder
On the other side, I wanted the left winger to invert to allow the left-back to hold the width on that side.
False Nine | Centre Forward
In early Uruguayan tactical systems, the false nine was prevalent up front.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the eighth 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!
