False nines? 4-4-2? The tactical trends defining World Cup so far (opens original article in a new tab)

Tactical trends at the World Cup include the return of the 4-4-2 formation, use of roaming strikers, and fluid midfield structures to control possession and exploit spaces.

• The 4-4-2 formation is commonly used at the World Cup, with teams defending in a mid-block and pressing in moments
• Roaming strikers and fluid midfields are emerging tactical trends, allowing teams to create overloads and exploit spaces
• Teams like USA and South Korea use flexible midfield structures to control possession and create attacking opportunities
• Heat and humidity affect pressing strategies, with some teams finding success in targeted high presses