FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsne Wenger, has shed light on the rationale behind the selection of former Ghana head coach Otto Addo and other football figures for the Technical Study Group (TSG) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Otto Addo joins a high-profile panel that includes Tobin Heath, Jrgen Klinsmann, Jayne Ludlow, Michael ONeill, Gilberto Silva, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Paulo Wanchope, Aron Winter, and Pablo Zabaleta.
The group will work under the leadership of FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbhler and Football Performance Insights lead Tom Gardner, supported by analysts, data engineers, and performance specialists operating across Miami, Dallas, and Manchester.
Speaking to FIFA, Wenger emphasized that the TSG is designed to deepen understanding of the modern game and anticipate its future evolution.
The Technical Study Group helps identify trends in the game, prepare future generations for footballs development and contribute to making the sport more exciting by highlighting the qualities players will need in the future,Mr Wenger told FIFA.
He added that the growing availability of advanced data will play a central role in their work, complementing technical expertise with real-time analysis.
With an unprecedented level of high-quality data, the TSG will be able to describe, analyse and interpret what is happening on the pitch in a way that inspires both technical experts and football fans. We are not only collecting more data than before but also trying to strike the right balance between technical expertise and data. At the same time, we want to share our technical observations in real time during the tournament.
The TSG will assess all 104 matches at the tournament from stadium-based tactical positions or a dedicated performance hub in Miami. Members will have access to six video angles and thousands of live data points per match. They will also be responsible for selecting players for official tournament awards.
Otto Addos inclusion comes despite recent scrutiny over his coaching future. The former Black Stars coach, who led Ghana to the World Cup, was relieved of his duties following consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany in March.
Meanwhile, Ghana head into the 2026 World Cup drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars begin their campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, face England in Boston on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
