FIFA has named an 11-member Technical Study Group (TSG) to analyse matches and determine the winners of individual awards at the 2026 World Cup. The panel was announced during a virtual media briefing on Monday, ahead of the tournament's opening match next month at Estadio Azteca. Leading the group is FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler. Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, ex-Germany striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rica legend Paulo Wanchope and 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva are among the members. Also included are Tobin Heath, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jayne Ludlow and Aron Winter. The TSG will assess performances throughout the tournament to decide the recipients of the Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Best Young Player awards. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches. According to FIFA, the TSG will combine expert analysis with advanced data to produce the official technical record of the tournament. "The TSG captures the heartbeat of global football. By blending expert observation with cutting-edge data, this team will provide the official record of how football is played at the highest level in 2026," a FIFA spokesperson said.
Otto Addo's inclusion gives Africa a voice in a panel that will shape how the 2026 World Cup is officially remembered. The tournament's expanded 48-team format means more nations will participate, yet only a select few, like Addo, will influence the narrative around standout performances. As one of two African representatives alongside Gilberto Silva, Addo's perspective may help ensure broader recognition of tactical diversity at the tournament. His role could subtly shift how underdog performances are assessed on the global stage.
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