Four national team tactics built from culture and history — Scaloni's La Nuestra Argentina, Petković's tiki-taka Algeria, Rangnick's Austria and Sellami's Jordan.
Welcome to the tenth 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 J, their respective World Cup histories, their respective football cultures, and their respective, current tactics. I hope you enjoy!
Argentina
Argentina come into this FIFA World Cup tournament as World Champions, following their long-awaited success in Qatar in 2022. That World Cup win was the third in the nation's history, after winning the competition in both 1978 and 1986. This summer, Argentina will be dreaming of a fourth World Cup, and to be Campeones del Mundo once more.
Originally, Argentinian football was identified as 'La Nuestra': 'Our Way'. La Nuestra is characterised by skill and trickery and is a style of play that emerged in the early days of the Argentinian professional league. It's a style of play that relies on the dynamics of team-mates rather than any overarching tactical system. As Jamie Hamilton worded it: In its most potent manifestations, La Nuestra is wild and vibrant.
However, as time has progressed, a rift and division has surfaced, and that is the battle of 'Menottismo vs Bilardismo' — this is the Argentinian tug of war between tactical romanticism and the famous motto: "Victory justifies everything". This tussle surfaced in the aftermath of Argentina's 1986 World Cup victory, in which Argentina's winning side were characterised by tactical discipline and extreme pragmatism, under their manager Carlos Bilardo. On the other hand, between 1974 and 1982, César Luis Menotti also guided the nation to a World Cup — however, that '78 winning side was characterised by flair and an attacking nature. Both managers produced winning teams, but both played a completely different style of play.
Current Argentina Manager, Lionel Scaloni, is a refreshing blend of the two ideologies. His in-possession approach is largely centred around short passes and giving attackers licence to roam to develop dynamic, relational pieces of excellence. However, without the ball, his side is a lot more cautious within a mid-block, akin to that of the 1986 World Cup-winning side.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've combined Argentina's historical 'La Nuestra' tactical identity with traits of both the 'Menottismo' and 'Bilardismo' styles of play and Lionel Scaloni's own tactical ideologies.
Out of Possession
Here, I've largely recreated what we've seen from Lionel Scaloni's Argentina side without the ball.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
(DR & DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will move higher and wider. Additionally, both full-backs are instructed to mark their opposing wingers tightly. I added the 'Pass It Shorter' instruction to most outfield roles to encourage the short passing of La Nuestra.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
Both centre-backs will look to progress play as often as possible, whether that be through progressive, line-breaking passes, through balls from deep, or marauding carries forward. Without the ball, both centre-backs tend to be quite aggressive in challenging opposition attackers.
Box-To-Box Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
Of the two holding midfielders in this system, the right-sided central midfielder tends to make runs forward more often. Additionally, this role is a slight nod to Jorge Burruhaga's role in Argentina's '86 side, of whom would make runs beyond Maradona if he dropped deeper to receive. In conjunction with Messi's free role, this replicates that. Both midfielders, in this system, will usually mark the opposition's midfielders tightly. Finally, I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to most outfield, attacking roles to encourage fluidity, roaming, and subsequent relational dynamics emerging.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
On the other side of midfield, the left-sided midfielder will tend to drop deeper to receive the ball, often drifting wider into a traditional left centre-back position to receive the ball. From here, he will look to dictate play in deeper areas, whilst also possessing the ability and initiative to progress play and/or find searching through balls over the opposition's defence.
Wide Midfielder | Tracking Wide Midfielder
In Scaloni's 4-4-2 system, he tends to deploy central midfielders in wide areas, of whom can drift inside to become a third central midfielder for the team. Additionally, he can often look to make runs forward to offer an expansive, attacking outlet at times. Both wingers/wide midfielders will work tirelessly to track back and track overlaps from opposition full-backs.
Free Role | Central Outlet Attacking Midfielder
Lionel Messi needs no introduction. He carried his nation to the peak of the sport four years ago, and he'll be looking to guide his team to another successful expedition again this summer. In this system, much like Diego Maradona in '86, Messi is the beneficiary of a 'free role', wherefrom he is allowed to move wherever and whenever he deems fit. Messi is the latest 'El Pibe' in the long list of tiny wizards Argentina have produced down the years, and this system perfectly platforms his otherworldly technical quality and his apathy for defensive duties.
Getting a free role like this to dovetail with the runners around it comes down to role pairings — something our FM26 role synergy guide breaks down in detail.
Inside Forward | Tracking Wide Midfielder
Both wingers, in this system, will invert to allow the full-backs to hold the width and move higher — however, the right-winger is consistently the more dynamic and offensive, often making runs in-behind to penetrate space.
Centre Forward | Centre Forward
The striker, in this system, can do a little bit of everything. He can run the channels, or he can drop deeper and receive the ball to feet. He can link play with a quick, short pass, or find a team-mate in-behind with a riskier pass.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Algeria
Algeria are back on the world's stage for the first time in twelve years, and will compete in their fifth-ever World Cup this summer in North America. Last time out, in Brazil back in 2014, Algeria managed to bypass the Group Stages for the first time in their history, reaching the Round of 16 wherefrom they were knocked out by eventual World Champions, Germany, in extra time. This time around, they will be dreaming of going at least one better.
Football matches in Algeria are notoriously intense and electric, with intimidating atmospheres fostering a cultural, footballing expectation of physicality and passion. Unfortunately, through my research efforts, I was unable to find much content regarding Algeria's football culture, however, I did discover some intriguing facets of Algerian football. For example, Paradou Athletic Club — an Algerian club side, and one of the World's most interesting club sides — recruits players through 'auditions', wherefrom barefoot training is at the forefront and there is never any goalkeepers. This wildly unique philosophy fosters exceptional ball control and tactical awareness that fuels the club's emphasis on possession-based, 'tiki-taka' football that was influenced by the great Barcelona sides under Pep Guardiola.
I also, in my research, discovered 'Raï Music' — the country's rebellious and rhythmic genre. Raï Music is known for its fast, danceable beats and its raw, passionate vocals, with songs often tending to challenge the status quo. Raï Music might just influence the country's football...
Vladimir Petković is the man to guide Algeria through their first World Cup since 2014, and he will feel pretty optimistic following the side's recent 0-1 friendly win against the Netherlands. His side are quite tactically flexible, able to attack in a multitude of different ways in accordance with the game's situation. They have a really well-structured build-up, but yet can quickly flip the switch and use a more transitional approach in certain moments. Without the ball, Algeria tends to sit off in a really compact low-block from a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I've blended Paradou Athletic Club's Barcelona-inspired tiki-taka football with Algeria's Raï Music and Petkovic's current Algeria side.
Out of Possession
Here, I mainly replicated Algeria's current off-the-ball approach in real life.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Full-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will move wider — the right-back, however, is the more reserved of the two.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, Rayan Aït-Nouri will move higher and wider on the left to hug the touchline. From here, upon receiving the ball, he will tend to carry the ball forward before finding an attacker with a riskier pass in-behind.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Central Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder
The '10', in this system, will tend to roam from his position and move from side to side to create triangles with the team's two defensive midfielders and two wingers. I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Take More Risks' instructions to add more creative initiative to the role.
Wide Forward | Wide Midfielder
On the right, Riyad Mahrez will hug the touchline predominantly — however, he can make runs in-behind at times. Upon receiving the ball, he will usually look to cut inside before creating a chance, either for himself or for a team-mate.
Inside Forward | Wide Midfielder
In this system, the left winger and striker will tend to float closely around one another, particularly in the left half-space...
Channel Forward | Centre Forward
...this can lead to the striker moving wider than the left winger, creating incredible fluidity and mobility on the left side in conjunction with Aït-Nouri's flair and athleticism.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Third Place
Austria
This summer, Austria will be making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup since 1998, bringing an end to a 28-year hiatus from the world's stage. Austria has impressive history in the World Cup, finishing in Third Place at the 1954 World Cup. However, in their last couple of appearances, they've struggled, such as being grouped in the 1998 World Cup. This time around, they will be looking to avenge the failure of 1998.
Austrian football, and its corresponding history, is incredibly interesting. Like many other countries in the world, Austria was introduced to the sport by the English — however, Austria ended up evolving the sport once introduced to them by turning the traditionally physical, muscular style popularised by the English into a "sophisticated battle of wits", with new, wacky formations becoming a prominent feature. The emergence of said formations was a key component of the famous 'Danubian Whirl' that was a hallmark of Austrian football for decades, however, the idea of tactically diverse formations and systems wasn't the lone, driving force of the 'Danubian Whirl'. Instead, the 'Danubian Whirl' was a groundbreaking approach that contained constant interchanging of positions from five attackers, alongside a quick, short-passing game that was inspired by Scottish teams that toured Vienna in the early 20th century.
Ralf Rangnick, this summer, will be venturing into his second international tournament with the Austrian national team, and he will be aiming to eclipse the relative, recent success of his Euro 2024 side, of whom reached the knockout stages of the competition for only the second time in their history. Rangnick's Austria side are a slightly more controlled, meticulous version of his Red Bull sides in the 2010s — they are an aggressive, attacking outfit that thrives in transitions as part of their gegenpressing approach.
At Euro 2024, Rangnick utilised a narrow 4-2-3-1 with three no.10s behind a striker — with two full-backs advancing higher and wider, and one of the defensive midfielders consistently dropping in to create a back-three, his Austria side often depicted a 3-1-6 in-possession shape. Since that tournament, Rangnick has slightly tweaked the roles within this system, but the overriding idea and approach remains. During World Cup qualifying, Austria averaged around 64% possession, showcasing the side's more modern, ball-dominant side of their game.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I largely replicated Rangnick's Austria side in-possession, with the added sprinklings of the famous 'Danubian Whirl' ('Be More Expressive').
Out of Possession
Here, again, I mainly replicated Rangnick's Austria side without the ball.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
(WBR & WBL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will largely move higher and wider. However, they won't always be in-line with the attackers and will, instead, remain slightly deeper. This slightly deeper positioning begs the question to the opposition full-backs regarding whether to close down Austria's full-backs or sit off them; either way, both full-backs will tend to try and feed attackers into the channels with riskier, more creative passes.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Half Back | Defensive Midfielder
Of the two defensive midfielders, in recent matches, it's more readily been the right-sided midfielder to drop into the backline to create a back-three in-possession, usually dropping into a traditional right-sided centre-back position.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Advanced Playmaker | Centre Forward
The central '10', in this system, is the team's primary attacking playmaker, tending to drift from his position to receive the ball in dangerous positions before progressing play, be that through line-breaking carries forward or defence-splitting passes in-behind.
Channel Midfielder | Wide Midfielder
On the right side of attacking midfield, the right '10' is very much a cog in the team's tactical engine, focusing primarily on penetrating the channels with aggressive runs into space. I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to all attacking roles as a nod to the famous 'Danubian Whirl'.
Inside Forward | Wide Midfielder
On the other side, Sabitzer will begin wide initially before eventually drifting inside — from here, he will make similar, penetrative runs in-behind as the opposite side's winger/'10'.
Target Forward | Centre Forward
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Third Place
Jordan
This summer's showpiece event will be the first FIFA World Cup that Jordan will have ever competed in, finally avenging the agonising, two-legged defeat to Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers that saw their dreams crushed at the final hurdle. In North America, Jordan will be dreaming of breaking new ground once, twice, or maybe even thrice more.
Jordan's football culture is largely guided by the country's general culture. Jordan FA's Technical Director said: "In Jordan, we have a society, a mentality, and a culture that is more defensive-oriented..." — this is actually characterised by the Jordanian 'Nashama' mentality, which is a cultural ethos that emphasises courage, resilience, and honour. Following the team's spirited performance in a 2-3 defeat against Morocco late in 2025, King Abdullah II publicly praised the team's performance and highlighted how Jordanians all around the world could see themselves in the team's sheer resilience and determination. It's often said that overcoming adversity and proving everyone wrong is second nature to Jordanians.
Jordan's manager, Jamal Sellami, and his system encapsulates a lot of these cultural factors, as his teams are traditionally disciplined, well-structured, yet will showcase immense bravery on the ball. His teams will attack with intent and belief, and his sides' wide attacks are particularly direct. In wide areas, there is an emphasis on creating wide triangles before crossing often. Without the ball, his side will initially remain in a mid-block before progressively dropping into a low-block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I combined the bravery and resilience showcased by the Jordanian 'Namasha' spirit with Jamal Sellami's tactical approach both historically and with his current Jordan side.
Out of Possession
Here, I blended the country's 'Namasha' spirit with the nation's culture and Jamal Sellami's tactical approach.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
No additional instructions.
(DCR & DC) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
(WBR & WBL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Central Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Central Midfielder
I chose this role as a source of deep progression and an outlet feeder for the side.
No additional instructions.
Inside Forward | Tracking Centre Forward
Both wingers, in this system, will move narrower and will tend to make runs in-behind the opposition's defence. Without the ball, Jordan initially sit in a 5-3-2 mid-block shape — however, as the team regresses deeper, the shape will turn into a 5-4-1. I chose this OOP role to replicate this.
Inside Forward | Wide Central Midfielder
I chose this OOP role to ensure the wide areas were protected within our latter 5-4-1 low-block.
Deep-Lying Forward | Centre Forward
In this system, the striker will tend to drop deeper to receive and link the play.
No additional instructions.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Group Stages
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the tenth 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. Apologies for the lack of recent parts of this series — however, keep your eyes peeled for the remaining two parts of the series, along with various other pieces of World Cup content here on FM Blog over the coming weeks! 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. I hope you have enjoyed this article, and I wish you much success with these tactics on your saves! Thanks for reading!
