Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger will head FIFA’s 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA announced the panel on Monday, saying the group will provide “cutting-edge analysis” of all 104 matches during the expanded tournament, which kicks off on 11th June.
The Technical Study Group, coordinated by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler, includes former Germany striker Jürgen Klinsmann, Brazil World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, ex-USA star Tobin Heath, Argentina legend Pablo Zabaleta and former Ghana coach Otto Addo.
According to FIFA, the team will analyse tactical trends, player performances and match data in real time while also helping select winners of individual tournament awards.
“The Technical Study Group helps identify trends in the game, prepare future generations for football’s development and contribute to making the sport more exciting by highlighting the qualities players will need in the future,” Wenger said.
FIFA added that fans will, for the first time, receive live technical insights from the group through the FIFA Training Centre platform and social media channels.
“With an unprecedented level of high-quality data, the TSG will be able to describe, analyse and interpret what is happening on the pitch,” Wenger added.
“We are not only collecting more data than before but also trying to strike the right balance between technical expertise and data.”
The announcement also highlighted Nigeria’s absence from the panel, marking the first time in recent men’s World Cups that no Nigerian coach or football expert has been included in the group.
FIFA said the analysts will operate from stadium tactical positions and dedicated performance centres in Miami, Dallas and Manchester during the tournament.
