Four national team tactics built from culture and history — Martinez's rotating Portugal, Desabre's DR Congo, Cannavaro's Uzbekistan and Lorenzo's man-marking Colombia.
Welcome to the eleventh 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 K, their respective World Cup histories, their respective football cultures, and their respective, current tactics. I hope you enjoy!
Portugal
Portugal are, once more, one of the headline acts on the world's stage, competing in their seventh consecutive World Cup, and their ninth World Cup in the nation's history. Last time out, in 2022, their World Cup journey was spectacularly halted when they lost to the fantastic fairytale outfit of Morocco in the quarter-finals — however, they had their greatest hour in this competition in 1966, when the nation finished Third Place. This summer, they will be looking to go one, or maybe two, better.
Portuguese football is actually somewhat inspired by the nation's success in the world of futsal — a game that is characterised by quick thinking, constant movement, and players working in tandem to score goals and defend resiliently. Portugal's historic approach, tactically, aligns with these things, as it emphasises positioning, spatial awareness, and encourages the odd flash of flair. Portuguese teams historically tend to control the tempo of games, manage leads effectively, and place a strong emphasis on fostering a mature understanding of the game, with players encouraged to seek smart decisions rather than take excessive risks. Portugal, stylistically from a tactical perspective, exude balance.
Roberto Martinez remains the manager to try and bring the nation's golden generation success, and to finally break Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup duck. Martinez is probably more of a tactician than a manager, with him never being averse in trying things that range from the sublime to the ridiculous — this was showcased in Euro 2024, when he used a 3-5-2 that saw eye-catching rotations occur on the left-side, with the left wing-back inverting into midfield, whilst the left centre-back would overlap this aforementioned, inverted movement, all whilst the left-winger held the width. Tactically, Martinez is flexible: his team can press high in one sequence before quickly dropping off into a compact mid-block. Recently, Martinez has experimented with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I blended Portugal's futsal culture ('Be More Expressive', 'Shorter Passing' + 'Higher Tempo') with the nation's traditional, tactical trends ('Dribble Less', 'Slow Pace Down', 'Time Wasting: More Often') and Roberto Martinez' tactical ideology ('Attacking Width: Wider', 'Counter-Attack').
Out of Possession
Here, I largely replicated Roberto Martinez' out-of-possession strategy down the years with Portugal: a compact mid-block that occasionally steps up to press high in man-to-man fashion.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
No additional instructions.
Inside Wing-Back | Full-Back
As you can probably observe: this isn't a tactical recreation. After all, Roberto Martinez has only really dabbled with a 4-2-3-1 formation recently, and, really, who knows how he will set Portugal up this summer?! So, instead, I decided to create my own tactic that incorporates the aforementioned left-side rotations from Euro 2024... just with a slight twist! In this system, I wanted Dalot to invert from right-back to form a midfield double-pivot with Joao Neves in-possession.
I, then, looked at how I could maximise Dalot's greatest qualities whilst minimising his vastest weaknesses. So, I decided to simplify his ball-playing game ('Take Fewer Risks', 'Shorter Passing') to encourage him to utilise his strong ball-carrying more often ('Dribble More'). Finally, I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to add more fluidity to our set-up. If you're curious how inverting full-backs and double-pivots knit together, our FM26 role synergy guide breaks these combinations down in detail.
(DCR & DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
No additional instructions.
Playmaking Wing-Back | Full-Back
Here, I wanted Nuno Mendes to move higher and invert into a traditional 'left 10' position, creating space for others to exploit and/or move into. I added the 'Make More Runs' instruction to exert more attacking thrust from the role in-game, whilst the 'Dribble More' instruction platforms his elite ball-carrying and close-control dribbling.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
I added the 'Shorter Passing' instruction to this role to ensure sufficient ball-retention in midfield.
No additional instructions.
Half Back | Defensive Midfielder
Here, I wanted Vitinha to drop into the backline to take up Nuno Mendes' position once he progressed higher up the pitch; this would ensure a consistent, solid back-three base in-possession, enhancing our rest defence in the process. I added the 'Take More Risks' instruction to platform his elite progressive passing from deep. Also, Vitinha plays in a very similar role at PSG to some extent.
Attacking Midfielder | Tracking Centre Forward
Here, I mainly prioritised maximising Bruno Fernandes. By allowing him to roam from his position, he can utilise his elite creativity across the pitch, rather than being restricted to a specific zone of the pitch. I also added the 'Make More Runs' instruction to platform his fantastic, relentless running capabilities, often culminating in runs in-behind for both club and country.
Finally, as part of our OOP approach, I wanted him to move alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in our 4-4-2 structure, whilst doing a lot more tracking back to subsidise Ronaldo's lack of willingness to do so himself, platforming the team's greatest ever player.
Winger | Tracking Wide Midfielder
Here, I wanted the right-winger to predominantly hold the width on the right, whilst tracking back without the ball to help create a situational 5-4-1 OOP shape.
Wide Forward | Wide Midfielder
Here, I wanted Leao to hold the width too. However, I added the 'Dribble More' and 'Cut Inside with Ball' instructions to maximise his brilliant directness with the ball at his feet, whilst also encouraging a potentially fruitful partnership to emerge between him and Nuno Mendes. Furthermore, I wanted him to consistently be in the perfect position to finish attacking moves on the left side should the ball come his way.
Poacher | Central Outlet Centre Forward
I chose both of these roles to maximise Ronaldo's out-of-this-world quality, and his unwillingness to track back. I added the 'Shoot More Often' instruction to platform his elite shooting ability.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
DR Congo
DR Congo return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, 52 years on from their sole appearance in the nation's history. That time around, they were unfortunately beaten in all three games, undergoing a historically poor World Cup campaign. This summer, they will be aiming to down the ghosts of old and break new ground.
Football in DR Congo largely derives from street football, as children and youth of all ages ferociously compete for every inch of space available to play their favourite sport. In these conditions, friendships and companionships are often bled, fostering a spirit of togetherness from young. After winning games and, at times, scoring important goals, it's not uncommon to see the Congolese players perform the famous 'Fimbu' dance, a dance that encapsulates Congolese pride and infectious, rhumba energy.
Sébastien Desabre has been the man behind the wicked rise of DR Congo on the African, and now world, stage across the last four years. Joining in 2022, the national team were struggling — however, thanks to his incredibly diligent and impactful guidance, the country is thriving more than ever. Nicknamed the 'White Wizard', Desabre has instilled an incredibly strong philosophy centred around long balls and tactical discipline, with an emphasis on swift, attacking transitions. Without the ball, his side sit off in a very low block within a 5-4-1 structure.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I blended DR Congo's street football culture with symbolisms of the nation's 'Fimbu' dance, and Sébastien Desabre's tactical ideology.
Out of Possession
Here, I mainly replicated DR Congo's current, out-of-possession approach under Sébastien Desabre — however, I added the 'Trigger Press: Much More Often' instruction to reflect the Congolese youth's constant battle and chase for every inch of space to play football.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
In this system, the 'keeper tends to distribute short from goal-kicks but, upon receiving the ball in settled possession, he will usually go long.
(DCR) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
In this system, all three centre-backs will regularly go long as part of the team's direct approach. However, there are slight discrepancies between all three centre-backs and what they do with the ball at their feet.
(DC) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
In the centre of the back three, the central centre-back will never really take any risks on the ball, however, he will usually delegate possession to the centre-backs beside him with shorter passes.
(DCL) Centre-Back | Centre-Back
On the left side, the centre-back will often go long — however, he can, at times, progress play with a progressive pass forward.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, both wing-backs will stay wider. Additionally, both wing-backs will tend to carry the ball forward and typically run wide with the ball to progress play down the flanks. A large part of this system, without the ball, is based around maximising the ball-winning capabilities of Wan-Bissaka and Noah Sadiki, as reflected by this role's OOP instructions.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
The only difference between the two wing-backs is that the left wing-back typically moves higher than the right wing-back.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
I chose this role, along with the 'Shorter Passing' instruction, to reflect tempo dictation — which is, perhaps, a symbolisation of the Congolese rumba music.
Channel Midfielder | Wide Covering Defensive Midfielder
In this system, one of the three central midfielders tends to be the most attacking, moving higher and penetrating the penalty area as a tertiary crossing option. I chose this role, however, to enhance our transitional game by having a dedicated channel runner on both sides of attack, whilst adding 'Roam From Position' to allow for more unpredictability and fluidity to our attacks. Finally, I chose this OOP role to help create our 5-4-1 OOP shape.
Wide Central Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
I chose this role to optimise our wide triangle on the left, along with providing wide cover for the direct, attacking movements of the left wing-back.
Centre Forward | Centre Forward
Bakambu's game, on the ball, in this system is largely disciplined, focusing on ball retention. However, I added the 'Move Into Channels' instruction to reflect Bakambu's 'Moves Into Channels' player trait in-game.
Channel Forward | Tracking Winger
I chose this role to maximise Yoane Wissa's fantastic channel-running, whilst adding instructions such as 'Dribble More' and 'Shoot More Often' to allow DR Congo's best player to showcase his brilliant quality. I chose this OOP role to help create our 5-4-1 OOP shape.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan are the final, FIFA World Cup debutants we will cover in this series, and what a great way to end by looking at a team and a nation that is only getting better at football. This summer, Uzbekistan will be making their people proud and will be dreaming of giving their fans a summer they will never forget.
In Uzbekistan, football is a unified source of patriotism and is an inspiration to millions of people. Football is often played in the Uzbekistani 'mahallas', of which are effectively neighbourhoods and their corresponding community — in fact, in Uzbekistan, every 'Mahalla' is seen as a football pitch. Within said 'Mahallas', games between neighbours and young people are fiercely competitive, with local bragging rights at stake — these 'Mahallas' foster a style of play that is based around individual quality and quick thinking but accompanied by hard work and resilience. This has largely translated to the nation's senior game, with Uzbek players widely valued for their discipline, tactical intelligence, and technical base.
The Uzbekistan Football Association wanted to make a statement, and the appointment of former World Cup-winning and Ballon d'Or-winning centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro, certainly did that. In his short stint as the National Team Manager thus far, the Italian hasn't steered too far away from the work and ideology of his predecessor, however, he has slightly tweaked things. His side set up in a 3-4-3 formation with the ball, and they are a very direct, counter-attacking side which isn't afraid to simply focus on winning duels and second balls. Without the ball, Uzbekistan drop into a classically Italian 5-3-2 OOP shape, and will operate from a low block.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I mixed components that symbolise Uzbekistan's 'Mahalla'-based street football ('Be More Expressive', Dribbling: Encourage') with Fabio Cannavaro's tactical ideology ('Direct Passing', 'Goal Kicks: Long', etc).
Out of Possession
Here, I predominantly replicated Uzbekistan's approach without the ball in-real-life.
Player Roles
No-Nonsense Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
In this system, the 'keeper will rarely retain the ball in deep areas, rather opting to go long towards Shomurodov up front.
(DCR) Wide Centre-Back | Centre-Back
Both wide centre-backs, in the back-three in this system, will move as wide as possible — upon receiving the ball, both players will tend to carry the ball forward often.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
From my analysis of Uzbekistan's system, I discovered that the central centre-back will tend to focus on short passes.
(DCL) Wide Centre-Back | Centre-Back
The only difference between both wide centre-backs is the fact that the left-sided centre-back, upon receiving the ball, would often progress play with line-breaking passes from deep. However, when he isn't progressing the ball forward with line-breaking passes, he will tend to distribute short.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
The right wing-back, in this system, will move extremely high and wide on the right. Upon receiving the ball, he will either distribute short or will carry forward.
Wing-Back | Full-Back
No additional instructions.
Defensive Midfielder | Central Midfielder
No additional instructions.
Deep-Lying Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
In this position, the left-sided defensive midfielder will drift from side to side to receive the ball often, following the play. Upon receiving the ball, he will largely pass it short or can, at times, carry forward.
Winger | Centre Forward
In this system, the right winger will initially stay wider before tucking in narrower slightly. Upon receiving the ball, he will regularly look to take on his man. Finally, I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to encourage more fluidity in his movements on the ball.
Inside Winger | Central Midfielder
On the other side, the left winger will more readily invert and will typically operate within the left half-space. Additionally, upon receiving the ball, he will cut inside with the ball. Like the right winger, I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to the role to encourage more fluidity to our attacking approach.
Target Forward | Centre Forward
In this system, Shomurodov acts as the team's primary, attacking focal point, linking play upon receiving the ball to feet. However, he will also occupy the box and will aggressively attack crosses into the box and will go up for aerial duels when the 'keeper goes long. Upon receiving the ball, in certain instances, he can tend to turn and carry forward before releasing a riskier pass in-behind for a team-mate to attack. Finally, he will usually sit in the half-spaces to receive the ball.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 32
Colombia
Colombia are back on the world's stage, competing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018, wherefrom they were devastatingly knocked out at the Round of 16 stage. The World Cup before, however, in 2014, was when Colombia had their greatest tournament yet, finishing in the Quarter-Finals when James Rodriguez guided his nation to a fairytale story. This time around, they will be dreaming of reaching the final four for the first time in the nation's history.
Colombia's greatest side/s, arguably, were the side/s coached by iconic manager Francisco Maturana across his four, separate stints in post. Maturana's Colombia played with style, using short passes and operating at a 'different rhythm' — they were often described to be passing the ball akin to that of those playing at the park. Maturana encouraged expression, and embraced the culture by coaching a style of play that resonated with players and fans alike. Maturana, himself, said: "We don't need to copy anyone. We need to play how we are. Football is a cultural expression." His sides played like the sounds of their 'cumbia' music, with players often playing like the dance movements associated with 'currulao' music: a style that is expressive, relational, and emotionally resonant.
Nestor Lorenzo is the man to guide Colombia through their first World Cup tournament in eight years, and his side's game is largely based on what they do without the ball, and that's because they are uniquely aggressive when they don't have possession of the ball — in fact, they will often man-mark across the entire pitch throughout the 90 minutes, forcing the game to converge into numerous 1v1s. When they do have the ball, Lorenzo's side will typically build up play in deeper areas to draw the opposition higher before quickly going direct to the attackers, wherefrom there is a big emphasis placed on maximising fantastic individual quality from the likes of Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez. That whole-pitch man-marking approach is exactly the kind of system our FM26 pressing principles guide digs into.
Let's Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Here, I blended the rhythmic style of play promoted by Maturana's Colombia sides with the Nestor Lorenzo's tactical ideology.
Out of Possession
Here, I largely replicated the out of possession approach utilised by Nestor Lorenzo's Colombia side in real life.
Opposition Instructions
Player Roles
Ball-Playing Goalkeeper | Sweeper Keeper
I chose this role as a nod to the unique eccentricity of iconic Colombia 'keeper, René Higuita.
No additional instructions.
(DR & DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
Both full-backs, in this system, will largely move higher and wider, and, upon receiving the ball, will carry forward often. I added the 'Mark Tighter' and 'Tackle Harder' OOP instructions to every outfielder to supplement our incredibly brave and intense OOP system.
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
Both centre-backs, in this system, will initially move wider from goal-kicks to create space for the defensive midfielder and/or 'keeper. Upon receiving the ball, both will regularly drive forward with the ball or progress play with line-breaking passes from deep.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
The shared 'Mark Tighter' and 'Tackle Harder' out-of-possession instructions (above) also apply to this role as part of the team-wide man-marking approach.
Midfield Playmaker | Central Midfielder
In this system, Puerta will tend to drift and roam from his position to regularly receive the ball. Upon receiving the ball, he can tend to carry forward and/or take on his man.
Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder
In this system, the left central midfielder will largely move higher and operate in the left half-space. From this advanced position, this player will tend to take on his man or carry forward.
Free Role | Winger
James' role, in this system, encapsulates the 'Free Role' role in-game, as he'll drift from his position to receive the ball in the most opportune position at that moment in time. Upon receiving the ball, James will constantly look to create, and will often go direct to do so.
Inside Forward | Tracking Winger
On the left, Luis Diaz will initially stay wider to stretch the pitch and, at times, will remain higher and wider as Colombia progress up the pitch to be readily available for the switch of play. However, he will more regularly drift inside as Colombia moves up the pitch, along with often making runs in-behind the opposition's defence. Upon receiving the ball, Diaz will tend to take on his man before cutting inside. I added the 'Roam From Position' instruction to encourage as much attacking fluidity as possible. Finally, without the ball, Diaz will readily track back on the left flank to double up against opposition wingers.
Centre Forward | Centre Forward
The striker, in this system, can generally do a little bit of everything, and will roam from his position to do so. Upon receiving the ball, the striker will tend to simply link play with short passes.
Results
FIFA World Cup 2026: Winners
Conclusion
Thank you very much for reading the eleventh 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. Keep your eyes peeled for the final part 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!
