The upcoming 2026 World Cup is poised to be heavily influenced by set pieces, especially corner kicks, despite FIFA's recent rule change allowing referees to disallow goals if a foul occurs before the ball is live. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and implications of this change, with experts divided on whether set pieces will still play a central role in the tournament. Historically, set pieces have accounted for a significant percentage of tournament goals, leading many to believe that the trend will continue, especially with international teams having limited preparation time.

By the Numbers
  • 30% of goals at the 2014 World Cup came from set pieces.
  • A record 43% of goals at the 2018 World Cup derived from dead balls.
  • In the Premier League's recent season, 269 non-penalty goals from dead balls were scored, marking a 25% increase from the previous year.
Yes, But

While set pieces have been incredibly effective in past tournaments, some experts express skepticism about their dominance due to the new rules and the limited time national teams have to prepare. Critics argue that FIFA's adjustments might complicate refereeing without bringing more clarity.

State of Play
  • Countries are adjusting strategies to optimize set pieces ahead of the World Cup amid new regulations regarding foul calls.
  • Teams are increasingly relying on set pieces as a tactical advantage due to the fatigue and physicality expected during the tournament.
What's Next

As the tournament approaches, teams will continue to refine their set-piece tactics while dealing with the implications of FIFA's rule changes. It’s expected that the effectiveness of dead balls will be closely monitored, potentially leading to further modifications in play style.

Bottom Line

Set pieces are likely to be a defining factor at the World Cup, especially as teams seek structured scoring opportunities in a physically demanding tournament. The growing emphasis on set-piece execution raises questions about the evolution of gameplay and its implications for the sport.