The Sports Lab · Complete Series

The Shape of the Game

Formation, Duel & Decision in the Modern World Cup · World Cup 2026

Seven editions of original tactical analysis tracking World Cup 2026 in real time — from Morocco's 4-1-4-1 block holding Brazil in Week One to Spain lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026. The complete archive is freely available below.

Edition 1 · 16 June 2026

The Block and the Wave

Brazil 1–1 Morocco · Germany 7–1 Curaçao · Spain 0–0 Cape Verde · What the draw rate reveals about Week One

Edition 2 · 22 June 2026

Pressure Tests

Germany 2–1 Ivory Coast · Morocco 1–0 Scotland · Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia · The 3-2-5 meets a genuine press

Edition 3 · 28 June 2026

The Group Stage Verdict

Germany's three-match arc · Morocco 4–2 Haiti · France's statement · What 72 matches reveal

Edition 4 · 1 July 2026

The Knockouts Begin

Morocco 3–2 Netherlands · Paraguay 4–3 Germany · The two poles meet on the same night

Edition 5 · 8 July 2026

The Round of 16

Morocco 3–0 Canada · Argentina's comeback from 2-0 down · Belgium 4–1 USA and the Balogun affair

Edition 6 · 12 July 2026

The Final Four

France 2–0 Morocco · England 2–1 Norway · Spain 2–1 Belgium · The semi-finals previewed

Edition 7 · 20 July 2026

A Final Account

Spain 1–0 Argentina · Ferran Torres 106' · The tournament's complete tactical verdict · What comes next