The World Cup in Times of Cholera

World Cups offer a prime opportunity to gauge the evolution of the game. Firstly, they bring together the best teams and players; secondly, they are rare occurrences. While some changes are driven by rule modifications (notably the expanded VAR intervention and efforts to curb time-wasting), others stem from the prevailing zeitgeist, often shaped by successful teams.

The two most successful teams this season recently contested the Champions League final. Will we see more teams emulate Arsenal's composure and tactical patience? Among the most talented squads, how many will be as ambitious in their playing style as PSG?

Before the ball even rolls, we're left to analyze the data and anticipate trends. As is a recurring theme, we'll likely see top players arriving at this tournament pushed to their limits. Virgil van Dijk, for instance, played 48 matches. Bernardo Silva featured in 44. With a 48-team format, the four semi-finalists will play eight games in under a month and a half. How will this impact collective approaches? To what extent is it feasible, for example, to press full-field? Player rotation is key, of course. But, with the exception of France, how many national teams can maintain quality with constant rotation?

Could it be that the teams who conserve their energy more effectively will go further? Scoring early, being clinical from set-pieces (Portugal enlisted Aston Villa's specialist, Angus Macphee), or expertly managing possession could be decisive factors in reaching the latter stages with freshness. With so many minutes and travel involved, we're unlikely to consistently witness champagne football.

It will also be interesting to observe how set-piece situations gain prominence. In the past year, for example, we've seen elite teams deliberately put the ball out of play after kick-offs or goal kicks. Throw-ins are increasingly becoming relevant for creating goal-scoring opportunities.

An initial phase with many asymmetrical matches is on the horizon. Nevertheless, football remains democratic, and its history is one of overcoming adversity. Being better for ninety minutes, even when starting as the underdog, is an art in itself.