Background

FIFA's Technical Study Group published its assessment of the 2026 World Cup on 30 June, finding that winning Teams regained possession roughly four seconds faster than the sides they beat.

The panel is the body FIFA appoints to assess the football at each World Cup. For 2026 it was chaired by Pascal Zuberbuhler and guided by Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, with members including the Ghanaian coach Otto Addo.

The review went out with the knockout rounds still to be played, the same day FIFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina published his own officiating findings. Both documents describe a tournament that had not yet finished, three weeks before Spain lifted the trophy.

Common Questions

What is FIFA's Technical Study Group?

A panel of coaches and analysts FIFA appoints to review the football at each World Cup; it published its 2026 assessment on 30 June.Source: event

Who chaired FIFA's Technical Study Group for the 2026 World Cup?

Pascal Zuberbuhler chaired the panel, guided by Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development.Source: event

When did FIFA's Technical Study Group publish its 2026 World Cup review?

On 30 June 2026, while the knockout rounds were still to be played.Source: event

What did FIFA's Technical Study Group find about the 2026 World Cup?

Winning Teams regained possession roughly four seconds faster than the Teams they beat.Source: event

How the World Sees Them

FIFA

considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps

Javier Tebas / La Liga

esta podrido desde la raiz

Town of Foxborough

a collection of multibillion-dollar corporations

Spain / Royal Spanish Football Federation

Sois todos un conjunto estelar y legendario para la historia de nuestro futbol.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 25 July 2026. Editorial standards.