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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That all said, set-pieces have a lot to offer value-wise for teams in a matter of seconds in a match, so not taking advantage of these opportunities are and can be costly for any team in a sport with such fine margins.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This only makes the margins thinner and the competition more intense as teams continuously adapt and react to one another. Creativity matters in these situations, as through different runs, blockers, routines etc. teams have various ways to create high-quality opportunities.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There is a cycle at play, as teams are seeking to, and successfully creating better chances from attacking corners, while defensively teams respond with more organized structures, such as zonal marking, which was the preferred defensive approach according to the FIFA Report

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

• 17 of the 32 corner goals involved a blocking role (53.1%). Set-pieces, are becoming more important and more appreciated as teams seek to take advantage of one of the few moments that can be planned and controlled relative to the rest of a fluid and unpredictable game.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

• Inswingers were preferred, yet outswingers produced more attempts at goal. • Short corners produced 3x more goals than in 2022, and were used more frequently, especially by teams chasing a result. • 41.3% of corners included a blocking role (23.1% in 2022).

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This summer: • xG per set play increased, suggesting better-quality chances being created from set-pieces. • 12.9% of all goals came from corners (vs 8.8% in 2022). • 47% of corner deliveries targeted the goal area (vs 35% in 2022).

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🧵Continuing from my last post about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Technical Report, one of the aspects I decided to look at in depth first was set-pieces.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

13/13 That said, over the next few days I will dive deeper into the report and share some of the interesting detailed insights with their contexts as I go along. www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/fifa-worl...

fifatrainingcentre.com

Tournament page: FIFA World Cup 2026

Your home for technical coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

12/13 This report is a prime example of the depth to which we can analyze the game, but yet emphasizes the point that identifying absolutely key insights and communicating them with simple, easy-to-understand terms and putting them into actionable strategies is most important.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

11/13 For anyone wanting to dive deeply into a particular topic, it is an incredible resource. However, it is not a simple and easy-to-read report to understand the main tactical trends and insights from the tournament.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

10/13 As impressive as the report is in its depth of insights and explanations/context, I think the report’s biggest strength is possibly also its biggest weakness. There is a LOT here at over 500 pages, and it can become crowded and overwhelming.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

9/13 • Set pieces continue to become increasingly important, with 12.9% of tournament goals coming from corners (8.8% in 2022). The report also provides interesting detail around aspects of set-pieces such as blocking, delivery zones and short-corner strategies.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

8/13 • Counterpressing became slightly less frequent but more effective (49% vs 52.7% in 2022), but the success rate increased by 0.5%.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

7/13 • Wingers + wing/full backs moving increasingly inside, with 26% of wide-player receptions occurring inside the opposition shape, an increase from both 2018 and 2022. • Low-block usage increased by 4.2%, while defensive blocks also became significantly more compact.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

6/13 In this report, a few interesting trends were: • 63% of teams used a back-three build-up at some stage of the tournament through 3+1 and 3+2 structures, which the report explains the benefits of and how it was done using data, tactical diagrams and video.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/13 i.e. one action results in another and these actions all combine to produce the output of a specific phase of play/moment in the game. Those questions of Who? What? Where? Why? When? can add serious depth, explanation and context to any analysis.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/13 What the Technical Study Group at FIFA have done here is not to just present WHAT happened, but HOW it happened, WHEN and WHY it happened, WHO did it and WHERE it happened in a systems style of thinking about the game,

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

3/13 At 500+ pages, the amount of insights that are explained and supported by data, video, tactical explanations, diagrams and case studies is insightful and impressive.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

2/13 The report goes deeper across the tournament and covers everything from tactical and statistical trends across phases of the game: in possession, transitions, out of possession, set-pieces etc.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🧵 1/13 FIFA have released their 2026 World Cup Post Tournament Analytics Report, and it is a massive and interesting document for anyone working in football analysis, scouting and/or coaching.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

While the amount of free data in football continues to remain limited and arguably even shrink, SkillCorner deserves credit not only for sharing Open Data, but also for showing, step by step, how to work with it, understand it and apply it. skillcorner.com/news-analysis

skillcorner.com

News & Analysis

The latest news and analysis content from SkillCorner.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Metric Explainers is possibly the most valuable series to aspiring analysts. This explains many metrics, such as what they mean and what they highlight. This is key, as any good analyst must clearly clearly metrics and be able to communicate them in simple but actionable language

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Game Intelligence Applied series showshow tracking data can be utilized practically, especially in defensive situations such as defensive behavior/positioning, considering defending is largely an off-the-ball phase, while event data is more on-the-ball driven.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Open Data Series provides access to actual open datasets (both tracking and event). However, what SkillCorner has done is use the series to highlight and teach, step by step, how the data can be manipulated, analyzed and visualized in a wide variety of contexts.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This content covers a wide variety of areas, but has 3 particular series that I think are absolutely class: • Open Data Series • Game Intelligence Applied • Metric Explainers

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Over the past few months, @skillcorner.bsky.social rn have been releasing some absolutely top-quality content for the football analytics community that may have gone a little under the radar, but can be incredibly beneficial to those working in or aspiring to work in football analytics.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Those are harder to tell and analyze but if anything are more important than the data on the field. Culture and strategy first. Tactics 2nd. So yes, Como are inspired by Arsenal tactically but could possibly also be methodology wise, but we cannot say for certain.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

However, inspiration and replication tactically on the pitch is one thing. Off the pitch it is also very possible that eyes are on Arsenal by Como as it relates to player development, squad building methodology and recruitment along with the overall club culture.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

However, clearly Fàbregas has his eyes on Arsenal as inspiration for his Como side stylistically given the high press, aggressive counter press and territorial dominance with sustained possession, progressing through carries and passes versus chance creation through crosses.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

However, style is based more in the quantity of actions versus the quality, which is where a difference shows. Arsenal had 25.1 box touches per match vs Como’s 18.9, and 4.5 high-opportunity shots vs 3.5. Similar style and intentions, different execution/quality output.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In Possession? Como - Arsenal Possession: 61% - 56% Field Tilt: 64% - 65% Crosses per Final Third Sequence: 0.36 - 0.36 Box Entries per Final 3rd Seq.: 23% - 24% Although both are territorially dominant, Arsenal do better to get the ball in the box and create chances.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Arsenal are a massive inspiration for Fabregas' Como team based on the 2025/26 data. Defensively: Como - Arsenal PPDA: 4.81 - 4.73 Defensive Height - 44.7m - 44.3m Recoveries within 5 seconds 11% - 11% Both teams press high and counterpress aggressively.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

After the 2–1 win vs Parma today, Fàbregas referenced Arsenal as an inspiration for his Como team, specifically mentioning goals from set-pieces and defenders. Based on that, I used Twelve Football’s Earpiece to take a look at how similar the two teams might just be, 🧵

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Football isn't just a sport, it can be viewed as its own interdisciplinary with society and culture being one of the many aspects that shape how it's played and seen across the world. Football doesn't only shape society - but reflects it, they work hand in hand.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Contrastingly, the article suggests that England has historically been more individualistic with a "hero" culture within football. From Beckham to Rooney to Kane to Bellingham or another individual carrying the country's hopes, which partly affected the '06 World Cup team.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

At the World Cup, that collective understanding was reflected without a doubt, with the team always looking more or less the same, regardless of changes in individuals.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

This recent Athletic article takes a similar idea and looks at Spain and their collectivism, where family, friends and socializing are so important. That collectivism has infiltrated the Spanish football methodology, which I touched on recently. stevendabdoub.netlify.app/blog#wc2026r...

stevendabdoub.netlify.app

Blog | Steven Dabdoub

Football analysis and sport-business writing by Steven Dabdoub.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I've previously mentioned how @zonal-marking.bsky.social explores this idea, including the Dutch Total Football and the relationship between the highly dense and packed cities and their society's extra appreciation and understanding of space and how to best use it.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Not the first time I have written about this, and probably won't be the last! But it is always fascinating to see and explore how a country's culture can influence the way it plays football. www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...

nytimes.com

Spain’s collectivism, England’s hero worship and how a nation’s societal norms can shape its football

How much is footballing success determined by a country's culture? The Athletic takes a look...

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The 2026 World Cup brought with it many talking points. VAR + Refereeing AI + Technology Commercialization + Politics Tactical Trends Spain’s Methodology I broke down what the tournament told us about football today 👇 stevendabdoub.netlify.app/blog#wc2026r...

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

What matters? Why does it matter? How can we communicate it as clearly and effectively as possible? This communication and understanding is key so that the right information is understood in the best possible way for the maximum possible impact on development and performance.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Too much information can create cognitive overload and distract from the core concepts we actually want players to understand and remember. This is why, on a match-by-match, training-by-training and cycle-by-cycle basis, it is crucial for coaches + analysts to determine:

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Annotations such as highlights, lines, shapes and arrows can enhance attention, understanding and recollection by directing players’ attention towards the concepts and insights that matter. But more annotations and concepts are not better analysis.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The research found that players shown telestrated video were able to recall tactical concepts around 25–30% better than those shown the same video without telestration.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This FIFA Training Centre research snippet on telestration is a good reminder that football analysis is not just about the processes, workflows and insights. The clear and actionable communication of those insights is arguably the most important part. www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/environme...

fifatrainingcentre.com

Telestration for coaches: Finding the right balance

Dr John Francis examines how coaches can make the most of telestration to help get their messages across to their players.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Post World Cup and I'm happy to share what I have been working on since which is a relaunch of my personal website where you can see my experiences, references, portfolio work and blog articles. www.stevendabdoub.netlify.app/portfolio

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Overall? Based on the data it seems that: - England retreated immediately after the goal - Argentina eventually pinned them in - Tuchel's changes reinforced the retreat However, the event data cannot tell us what was instructed, but what happened. Execution vs Instruction.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

An additional center back and from that change until the equalizer: • ARG 8 box entries – ENG 0 • ARG 7 box touches – ENG 0 • Shots 5–1 • England had no defensive actions in ARG’s half Tuchel's first intervention reinforced the defensive approach rather than reversing it

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

At this point, ENG were no longer chosing to retreat but sat back and were now being pinned back with no way out with their pass completion falling from 87% to 65%. Eventually after Argentina started to threaten more Tuchel made his first change. Konsa in for Gordon.

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Steven Dabdoub @stevendabdoub.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Based on that? Scaloni’s change did not cause the initial retreat. However, his change helped Argentina turned England’s retreat into territory control. After 56’, the dashboard shows for Argentina: • 75% poss. • 92% field tilt • PPDA 5.9 • 1.48–0.09 xG

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