FIFA has officially unveiled an 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of the tournament’s kickoff next month.
The announcement was made during a virtual media briefing monitored by journalists on Monday.
According to FIFA, the panel will study tactical trends, analyse performances during matches, and determine winners of major individual awards at the competition.
The group will be led by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler.
Several former international football stars and coaches were also named in the panel.
They include former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, former Germany striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
Others on the panel are former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rica football legend Paulo Wanchope, and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva.
The Technical Study Group also includes Tobin Heath, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jayne Ludlow, and Aron Winter.
FIFA confirmed that the panel would decide winners of several major tournament awards.
These awards include:
- Golden Ball
- Golden Glove
- Best Young Player Award
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic as it will feature 48 national teams for the first time.
A total of 104 matches are expected to be played during the competition across host venues.
The tournament is scheduled to begin at Estadio Azteca.
A FIFA spokesperson described the panel as an important part of documenting football development at the highest level.
“The TSG captures the heartbeat of global football,” the spokesperson said.
“By blending expert observation with cutting-edge data, this team will provide the official record of how football is played at the highest level in 2026.”
FIFA’s newly unveiled Technical Study Group is expected to play a major role during the 2026 World Cup by analysing modern football trends and recognising standout players throughout the tournament.
