2026 World Cup Tactical Analysis

Course Description

Fans watch the World Cup; coaches see the World Cup.

Learn lessons from this summer’s World Cup and improve your ability to quickly recognise patterns in team and player performance with the analysis framework presented in this course.

Last summer, Raymond Verheijen analysed 2026 World Cup games at two levels: team intentions and individual intentions. He will share his ability to recognise the same patterns in different playing styles. Game by game, pattern by pattern. In particular, he will analyse defending tactical concepts for 1-5-4-1, 1-5-3-2, 1-4-4-2, 1-4-3-3 and 1-3-4-3 performance by Spain, Argentina, France and England amongst other countries. Raymond will pay special attention to the individual player analysis of top players like Rodri, Messi, Kane and M’Bappe amongst other World Cup players.

By the end of the course, you will see more of what you are watching.

Course Procedure

Duration

Seven months. Approximately 5 hours per month (one hour per week). All clips remain available until September 1, 2027 for you to watch, re-watch and reflect.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify a team’s strengths and weaknesses before the end of the first half, so you can make adjustments at half-time.
• Analyse individual players within their team context, so you can amplify or reduce their impact on the game.
• Use team intentions and individual intentions as a structured analytical framework so you can recognise even stronger patterns within teams and players between games.
• Distinguish between what a team is trying to do and what individual players actually do.
• Apply the same tactical analysis framework Raymond Verheijen has used across 4 World Cups and 4 European Championships, reaching four semi-finals and one final.

About the Instructor

Raymond Verheijen is the founder of Football Coach Evolution. He has worked as a coach and analyst at 4 World Cups and 4 European Championships, and has written multiple books on football periodisation and tactical analysis. His courses are followed by coaches and analysts across more than 100 countries.

Registration Details

Course fee: €295

The course starts on November 1, 2026.

All clips are available to re-watch until September 1, 2027.

Course Details

• Start date: November 1, 2026
• Duration: 7 months · 4-6 hours per month
• Format: Monthly pre-recorded clips
• Q&A: After the group phase and after final with Raymond Verheijen
• Level: Mix – suitable for developing and experienced coaches and analysts
• Language: English
• Certificate: Yes, upon completion
• Price: €295

COURSE PROGRAM

November 2026: Tactical Analysis based on Attacking Team Intentions.
– Netherlands vs Japan
– Argentina vs Algeria

December: Tactical Analysis based on Defending Team Intentions.
– USA vs Australia
– Spain vs Saudi Arabia
– Portugal vs Uzbekistan

January 2027: Player Analysis based on Attacking Individual Intentions.
– Brazil vs Japan
– England vs Congo
– Belgium vs Senegal

February: Player Analysis based on Defending Individual Intentions.
– Spain vs Portugal
– France vs Morocco
– Belgium vs USA

March: Team and Player Analysis: Patterns between Matches.
– England vs Norway
– Argentina vs Switzerland

April: Team and Player Analysis: Tactical Predictions before Matches)
– France vs Spain
– Argentina vs England

May: Team and Player Analysis: Tactical Adjustments during Matches.
– Spain vs Argentina

What coaches say about the course

“It was an absolute “masterclass” in coach education. I don’t think I will be able to look at a football match the same ever again! The knowledge gained from this is second to none.”
Paul Donnelly – Head Football Coach at Altona East Phoenix (Australia)

“The World Cup course has been fantastic. I’ve learned so much. Raymond described the defending in the World Cup final as a masterclass, and I think the World Cup course itself was exactly that.”
Paul McAtee – Director of Football at Raheny United (Ireland)

“For me personally it is the best course I ever participated in football. The reflections and presentations from Raymond are high level. Thank you for this standard and your effort.”
Danijel Zenkovic – First Team Assistant Coach Trabzonspor (Turkey)

“Thank you for another one of a kind course. The methodology, the level of detail and clarity really helped me further develop. You have put so much work and effort in this one. Congrats.”
Andreas Schumacher – First Team Assistant Coach Hertha BSC (Germany)

“This was much more than a course on tactical analysis. It challenged and strengthened my thinking about tactical information. One of the most valuable parts was having the opportunity to contribute to the learning process through feedback. Thank you to RV and FCE for creating such a challenging and valuable learning experience. On to the next one.”
Luis Swisher – St. Louis City SC (MLS) U18 Head Coach (USA)