Trending 
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced an 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 World Cup, with former players and coaches selected to analyse matches and determine winners of major individual awards during the tournament.
The panel was announced on Monday during a virtual media briefing ahead of the competition, which will begin next month at Estadio Azteca.
The group will be headed by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler and includes former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, former Germany striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rica legend Paulo Wanchope and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, amongst others.
FIFA said the group would also be responsible for selecting winners of individual awards, including the Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Best Young Player prizes during the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with 104 matches scheduled across the competition.
A FIFA spokesperson said the Technical Study Group would combine expert analysis with data-driven insights to provide an official assessment of how football is played at the highest level during the tournament.
“The TSG captures the heartbeat of global football.
“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,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
