Four national team tactics built from culture and history — Deschamps' Carré Magique France, Thiaw's Senegal, Arnold's 4-4-2 Iraq and Solbakken's Norway.
Welcome to the ninth 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 I, their respective World Cup histories, their respective football cultures, and their respective, current tactics. I hope you enjoy!
France
Les Bleus will be one of the headline acts going into a World Cup again this summer, as they return to the world's showpiece sporting event for the eighth time in a row, and the 17th time in their history. The previous two World Cups were legendary for the French, as the team led by Kylian Mbappé reached the Final twice in a row, winning once (2018) whilst tasting heartbreak in the other (2022). This summer, they will be hoping their feelings are that of 2018 reborn, not 2022.
France has an incredibly deep, successful history in football, winning the World Cup twice (1998, 2018) and the European Championships twice (1984, 2000) too, whilst also developing one of the most watched domestic leagues in the world, whilst club side Paris Saint-Germain (of whose tactics I recreated in FM26 recently) have dominated European club football over the past two years.
French football is unique, often tailored to the very best qualities of their players — in recent years, Ligue 1 has silently undergone a mass tactical revolution as teams have started to lean into the technical qualities of their respective midfielders, allowing said midfielders to more readily dictate the tempo and drift from their position to do so, creating a more fluid style of play. Paris Saint-Germain showcases this perfectly with their perfect midfield trifecta under Luís Enrique.
A key component of the French National Team's identity, down the years, has been the 'Carre Magique' (Magic Box), of which was popularised by the fantastic '84 team. Within this 'Carre Magique', a defensive midfielder (Luis Fernandez) would anchor the midfield, whilst Jean Tigana beside him would often venture forwards in a classic 'box-to-box' manner — Alain Giresse would flank the midfield on the left, creating space higher up for Michel Platini to wreak havoc from an area not too dissimilar to that which Johan Cruyff terrorised opponents from in the famous Dutch, 'Total Football' sides. Getting a midfield quartet like this to function in-game is all about how the roles dovetail, something our FM26 role synergy guide covers in detail.
Additionally, France have always been a strong counter-attacking outfit, and this was showcased very well in their World Cup-winning side of 1998, of which were devastating in attacking transition.
Didier Deschamps, following the end of the FIFA World Cup this summer, will be stepping down from his position as the France National Team's Manager, drawing the curtains on a fabulous 14-year reign which saw France return to the very top of world football. Whilst his tenure has, undoubtedly, seen a lot of success, it has also been the subject of concern and scrutinisation for many French fans who have become frustrated with the side's more conservative approach down the years... but it's what has made Deschamps' side successful over the years, so expect no different this summer.
When his team have the ball, Deschamps' side aren't entirely interested in 'controlling' possession, as they will tend to average around 50% possession per game — instead, there is a clear emphasis on taking advantage of the team's mercurial, attacking talents and lightning speed. Deschamps' side are incredibly devastating in counter-attack situations, and will often use deep, short build-up to draw the opposition higher to create even more space for them to exploit; essentially, possession is used as a platform to create space to attack into. When his side doesn't have the ball, France will drop off into a compact mid-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've blended the tactical ideologies of Didier Deschamps, the historically fluid, French style of play (1984 side, for example), and the traditional emphasis on exploiting counter-attacking scenarios to form this style of play in-possession.
Out of Possession
Here, I've replicated what we see from Deschamps' side without the ball.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
This role is actually a nod to the famous Nantes side of the 60s and 70s, of whom played a distinct style of play called: 'Jeu à la nantaise'. This style of play largely incorporated the 'keeper in-possession, where he would work the ball with his feet before distributing the ball short.
(DR) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will typically move higher and stay wider — however, the left-back is usually more adventurous than the right-back.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
(DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
The slight differences in instructions to the right-back reflects the difference in being more adventurous, particularly with the ball at his feet.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
A minor component of Deschamps' ideology is having his midfielders man-mark the opposition's midfielders, as reflected in the OOP player instructions for the three midfielders in this system. I added 'Shorter Passing' to all three midfielders' roles and the 'Inside Forward' to emphasise the advantages of the central 'Carre Magique'.
Box-To-Box Midfielder | Central Midfielder
This role is a nod to Jean Tigana's role in the famous French side of '84 that I previously alluded to. I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to add extra fluidity to the 'Carre Magique'.
Free Role | Tracking Attacking Midfielder
This role is a homage to the great Michel Platini who was massive in masterminding France's Euros success in '84. I added the 'Dribble More', 'Take More Risks' (if not already possessing), and 'Shoot More Often' instructions to all four attackers to align with the emphasis on exploiting the team's fantastic attacking threats.
Inside Forward | Tracking Winger
In this system, both wingers will usually invert narrowly whilst the full-backs hold the width — I chose this role, rather than an 'Inside Winger' or 'Playmaking Winger' role, to maximise the output of one of the team's best players, Michael Olise. I also added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to further add more fluidity to the 'Carre Magique' in the centre.
Inside Winger | Tracking Winger
On the left side, whilst the left-winger will also invert, he may, at times, stay wider to receive the switch of play from the right side. This explains the slight difference in instructions between the left and right winger.
False Nine | Splitting Outlet Centre Forward
In Deschamps' systems as France National Team Manager, Kylian Mbappé has consistently been given a free role: licence to move wherever, whenever. In this position, he will drift into the left half-space and will tend to drop deeper to receive the ball, before driving the ball forward himself or finding a team-mate running in-behind. When his side doesn't have the ball, Mbappé will never really track back or do any hard graft, so I chose this OOP role to position himself in the most optimal position for any counter-attacks.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Senegal
Senegal, this summer, will be competing in their third World Cup in a row, and their fourth in their history. Last time out, in 2022, Senegal bypassed the Group Stages for the first time, however, they were knocked out by England in the Round of 16. This summer, they will be looking to avenge that defeat in the knockouts by breaking further ground and reaching the Quarter-Finals.
Senegal is a ferociously passionate, football-loving country, with artsy fans in stadiums capturing the hearts of the globe with their cool, devoted shows of love to their National Team. Their football culture is also deeply ingrained in the spirit of 'Teranga', which directly translates to 'hospitality'. This spirit manifests itself on the pitch, with a historically cohesive style of play that emphasises teamwork, togetherness, and respect, both for themselves and their opponents.
The emphasis on teamwork was particularly fruitful in the country's AFCON side of 2002, which was characterised by a strong, resolute defence, a strong midfield, and lightning quick counter-attacks — this style of play was the figurehead which masterminded their famous 0-1 win over then-champions France in the 2002 World Cup. The country's style of play hasn't always been focussed on the defensive side of the game, however, as the founding of the Diambars Institute in early 2003 proved to be a major turning point in the country's footballing identity; the academy imposed a new 'standard', with the aim of producing the 'complete player': athletic, disciplined, and supported academically, nutritionally, and psychologically.
Nowadays, in the best academies in Senegal, players are quickly taught 'micro-skills of elite football': coordinated pressing, quick transitional play, and workload management. The result of this? Independent Serie A scout, Sandro Conti, said that: "When I scout in Senegal, I know I'll see youngsters already familiar with positional play."
Pape Thiaw is the man to guide the Lions of Teranga through this World Cup in North America, and he will be hoping to replicate the success in AFCON just six months prior... just minus the incredible controversy! In his time as Senegal Manager, Thiaw has implemented a tactically flexible, possession-based approach that places a huge emphasis on playing through the middle of the pitch.
From an initial 4-3-3 formation, his team will transition into a wide 2-3-2-3 in-possession shape that allows them to take up ideal positions for possession circulation, whilst central overloads are created by inverting wingers. Without the ball, his side will initially look to press high before dropping off into a compact 4-4-2/4-2-4/4-2-3-1 mid-block, with a higher defensive line used to compact the space in midfield. The principles behind that press-then-drop approach are broken down further in our FM26 pressing principles guide.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've combined the possession-based style of play implemented by Pape Thiaw with the 2002 side's focus on counter-attacks.
Out of Possession
Here, I've replicated what we see from Senegal without the ball under Thiaw.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
(DR) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will push wider and higher into the line of midfield to help create the wide 2-3 base for the team in-possession.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
(DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Cross From: Deep' instructions to maximise the electric pace and elite crossing ability of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Attacking Midfielder | Tracking Centre Forward
One of the central midfield duo positions himself slightly higher and will end up attacking zone 14 and beyond when Senegal get forward. This same midfielder will usually be the one to step up into the frontline to create the team's front two in the 4-4-2 OOP shape.
Central Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Inside Forward | Winger
Both wingers, in this system, will tuck inside to create central overloads for the team. From here, both wingers will often make runs in-behind the opposition's defence.
Inside Winger | Winger
Unlike the right winger, Sadio Mané, from left-wing, will tend to roam from his position more often — this includes dropping into midfield to pick up the ball. The change in role reflects that.
Channel Forward | Centre Forward
I chose this role, with the 'Make More Runs' instruction, as it suited Nicolas Jackson's player profile and traits in-game best. I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction as Jackson will tend to drift from his natural position himself.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Iraq
Iraq are back on the world's stage for the first time in 40 years, after successfully navigating multiple qualification rounds to finally qualify for the World Cup proper. In '86, they fell at the Group Stages — however, this summer, they will be dreaming of breaking new ground in reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history, and on their second attempt!
Iraq is the home of another set of immensely passionate football fans, each turning up for big league games frequently and certainly banging their respective drums. Football and the country's National Team, for Iraqi residents, are both seen as sources of collective unity and hope, adding a purer, more emotive edge to their football fervour.
Iraqi teams, down the years, have been very tactically interesting, with structures and ideas varying in alignment with the trend at each time. For example, when the 'W-M' formation was beginning to gain traction in football, particularly in England, Iraqi's 'trainer' at the time decided to implement the idea. However, as quickly as the 'W-W' formation became the new, trendy football tactic, the 'W-M' was swiftly shifted to the side to pave way for the exciting new formation instead.
In the '60s, Iraq were at their most tactically advanced in their footballing history, as people often struggled to pin down exactly how they would play. A shape somewhat resonant of a 4-2-4 emerged at this stage, but it also could've been a 3-3-4. Additionally, Iraq began using a 'deep-lying forward' in the '60s to good effect. Finally, down the years, Iraq have consistently been rather dominant aerially.
Australian manager Graham Arnold will be the man to guide Iraq through their second-ever World Cup tournament, as he looks to create further history for himself, his team, and his nation. After leading Iraq to qualification for the FIFA World Cup, the Iraqi football governing body requested an honorary citizenship for Arnold, showcasing their deep affection for the man who took the country to historic heights.
Arnold places a huge emphasis on defensive solidity and fostering a fighting spirit, as he looks to extract the maximum from a team that are widely considered as underdogs in World Cup qualifying and beyond. Graham Arnold is a rather 'old school' manager who sets his team up in a direct 4-4-2 formation and prioritises set-pieces and counter-attacks.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've replicated the in-possession ideologies of Graham Arnold, and how they translate to the Iraq side in-real-life.
Out of Possession
Here, again, I've replicated what we see from Iraq in-real-life when they don't have the ball.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
No additional instructions.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, the right-back will usually move much higher and wider.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Inside Full-Back | Full-Back
As part of this tactic, I wanted to create a 3-2-5 in-possession shape as a homage to the National Team's former dabblings with the 'W-M' formation, as this shape aligns more with the current football 'meta'. As such, I wanted the left-back to remain deeper and form a back-three whilst the right-back moves higher and wider on the other flank.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
I chose this role to maximise the fantastic technical qualities of former Manchester United player, Zidane Iqbal.
No additional instructions.
Playmaking Winger | Wide Midfielder
I chose this role to complement the high and wide positioning of the right-back.
No additional instructions.
Wide Forward | Wide Midfielder
I chose this role to complement the 'Deep-Lying Forward's' dropping movements with counter-runs in-behind.
Poacher | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Deep-Lying Forward | Centre Forward
I chose this role as a nod to the Iraq side in the '60s that used a 'deep-lying forward' in the attack.
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Group Stages
Norway
Norway returns to the showpiece of world, sporting competition after a long 28-year hiatus. This year's tournament will be the fourth World Cup the country has competed in, with the side's best showing coming in their latest exhibition, where they reached the Round of 16. This summer, the side led by Erling Haaland will be looking to eclipse this by reaching the Quarter-Finals and beyond.
Norway is the breeding ground of some of the world's most enthusiastic football fans, with supporters loving both Norwegian teams and foreign teams, with a lot of Norwegian people sharing a dual-fandom in supporting a Norwegian side and an English side, largely driven by decades of English football being broadcast in the country. This connection between English football and Norwegian football isn't just because of the fans, however, as two countries' styles of play have been very similar down the years — this is largely because of both countries experiencing similar weather issues to some extent.
For example, the Norway sides in the '90s were heavily inspired by the English game (at that point), playing a direct brand of football consisted of counter-attacks and a reliance on set-pieces. Like English football, however, in the past 10-15 years, Norwegian football has shifted more towards a technical, almost 'Spanish' type of football as a result of a number of '3G' football pitches being opened in the country. The country's more possession-based approach in recent times aligns with the national spirit: 'Janteloven' (Law of Jante) — this spirit discourages individual boasting and emphasises group success over individual success. In recent times, Norway has embraced a 'street-football' ethos to encourage creativity.
Ståle Solbakken has been making waves in the coaching game in recent months, as his Norway side have been consistently marvellous to watch. Across two separate fixtures in World Cup qualifying, Solbakken's side demolished Italy 3-0 at home and 1-4 away from home, whilst also thumping Moldova 11-1. In his tenure, there has long been an insistence on structure, however, the difference is that, now, his team exudes confidence and optimism. Solbakken has created a team that is fearless, a team that will take the game to anyone and everyone.
In build-up, Solbakken's side will aim to invite the opposition's high-press, using shorter passes before bypassing said press and hitting teams on faux counter-attacks (artificial transitions). Without the ball, Solbakken's side took inspiration from the zonal approach of the 1998 side. His team will typically sit deeper in a mid/low-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've blended the more possession-focused, considered approach of Solbakken's current Norway side with the more direct, transitional approach of the Norway side in '98.
Out of Possession
Here, I've, again, combined the off-ball approach of Solbakken's Norway side and the intense closing down and defensively solid and committed approach of Norway's '98 side.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, Ryerson, from right-back, will usually be the more attacking and advanced of the two full-backs, moving higher and wider whilst trying to reach the byline. I added the 'Dribble More' instruction to exert more attacking thrust from the role.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Full-Back | Full-Back
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Screening Defensive Midfielder
Both defensive midfielders are asked to mark specific positions as part of the zonal approach used by Norway's '98 side and that's been recently adopted by Solbakken himself. The position this player is asked to mark is: AMCL
Box-To-Box Midfielder | Screening Defensive Midfielder
In this system, the left-sided midfielder epitomises the 'Box-To-Box Midfielder' role, initially dropping deeper to supplement build-up before moving higher and even, at times, beyond Ødegaard. When he receives the ball, he will often drive the ball forward using marauding carries. The position this player is asked to mark is: AMCR.
Midfield Playmaker | Centre Forward
In this system, Martin Ødegaard is given licence to roam from his position to get onto the ball in advantageous positions — often, he will drop deeper to get on the ball and dictate the tempo whilst, other times, he may move higher. Upon receiving the ball, he usually looks to take on a man before galloping forward with the ball at his feet.
(AMR) Winger | Wide Midfielder
Both wingers, in this system, will stay wider to try and isolate themselves in a 1v1 vs an opposition full-back. From here, they will look to take on their man often. In this case, on the right, I added the 'Take More Risks' instruction as it aligned with his player traits in-game.
(AML) Winger | Wide Midfielder
Target Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Third Place
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the ninth 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!
