Set Pieces Emerge as Crucial Tactical Weapons Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Football analyst Daniel Ackermann has highlighted that set pieces such as corners, free kicks, and throw-ins have become increasingly decisive in modern football, especially since the 2018 World Cup. Nearly half of the participating teams in that tournament scored over 50% of their goals from set pieces. Currently, about one-third of Bundesliga goals stem from such standard situations, though success rates vary widely among clubs. Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann has acknowledged that goals from set pieces are on the rise and predicts this trend will continue in future matches.

Ackermann also points to the growing tactical importance of throw-ins, with teams training players to execute long, strategic throws exceeding 25 meters, turning these into attacking opportunities. He critiques chaotic corner kick tactics seen at times and advocates a more structured approach to maximize scoring chances. The German national team recently demonstrated the effectiveness of set-piece strategies with a well-executed short corner assist by Joshua Kimmich, leading to a goal from Deniz Undav in a test match against Finland.

This evolving emphasis has prompted teams to invest in specialized coaching staff focused on standards, like the DFB's standard coach position established in 2021. Ackermann is optimistic that underdog teams at the 2026 World Cup will leverage innovative set-piece tactics to create surprising outcomes, underscoring set pieces as key success factors in the increasingly competitive international football landscape.