FIFA has announced an 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several former football stars and experienced coaches selected to analyse matches and determine winners of key individual awards during the tournament.
The panel was revealed on Monday during a virtual media briefing ahead of the World Cup, which is set to kick off next month at Estadio Azteca.
Leading the group is FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler, alongside a team of respected football personalities from across the globe.
The panel includes former Manchester City F.C. defender Pablo Zabaleta, ex-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.
Others named on the technical panel are Tobin Heath, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jayne Ludlow and Aron Winter.
According to FIFA, the group will closely monitor tactical trends, player performances and overall match development throughout the tournament.
The panel will also be responsible for selecting winners of major World Cup individual honours, including the Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Best Young Player awards.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, with a total of 104 matches scheduled across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA said the technical group would combine expert football analysis with advanced performance data to provide detailed insight into how the modern game is evolving at the highest level.
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