As 48 teams prepare to contest the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™ in Doha, from 19 November to 13 December, FIFA has assembled a Technical Study Group (TSG) to closely analyse the tournament’s football, coaching trends and emerging talent.

Under the guidance of FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, and led by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler, the TSG brings together former internationals, experienced youth coaches and technical directors from across the football world. Their work will provide a global, football-first perspective on one of FIFA’s most important development competitions. The TSG is supported by a team of analysts from the FIFA Football Performance Insights Department led by Tom Gardner, who record and report on tactical, technical and physical insights. Besides analysing the on-field action, the TSG studies trends and benchmarks for the future of the game and their impact on coach education and talent development.

A tournament with growing global reach

The FIFA U-17 World Cup has become since last year an annual competition, with Doha hosting the tournament through 2029. The increased frequency of the tournament and the expansion to 48 teams mean more young players can test themselves against the best in their age group on a world stage.

That makes the role of the TSG more relevant than ever: identifying tactical developments, evaluating how different football cultures prepare young players, and highlighting the individuals and ideas shaping the future of the game. The trends are then presented on fifatrainingcentre.com, an innovative platform that is available to players and coaches worldwide. The TSG members also select the winners of certain individual awards, such as the adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Glove.

Q&A with Pascal Zuberbühler

Pascal, can you introduce the Technical Study Group for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Doha? Pascal Zuberbühler (PZ): “The Technical Study Group brings together a strong and diverse group of football experts. These are the TSG members in Doha for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026: Otto Addo, Andy Boyens, Wilmer Cabrera, Marcin Dorna, Simone Jatobá, Jayne Ludlow, Bambang Pamungkas and Aron Winter.”

Why is the tournament now annual, and what does the ‘Give every talent a chance’ concept mean?

PZ: “Since 2025, the FIFA U-17 World Cup has been an annual tournament, and it has expanded to 48 teams. The idea is simple: every generation of young players should have the chance to experience world-class international football at this age.

“At 17, international experience can be decisive for a player’s development. In the past, a player might have had only one opportunity to play in a FIFA U-17 World Cup; now, more players from more countries can compete against the best in their age group. The 48-team format also encourages every member association to invest in youth development, because the tournament gives talent from all six confederations a genuine global stage.

“That is what ‘Give every talent a chance’ means: creating more opportunities, more meaningful matches and more visibility for young players, wherever they come from.”

How was the TSG group put together, and why these particular people?

PZ: “We deliberately brought together people with different football journeys. Some have played at the highest level, some have coached national teams, some have worked extensively in youth football, and others now lead technical departments. That mix is important because talent development looks different in every region. The group combines global experience with a deep understanding of youth football, and every member understands what it takes to prepare young players for international competition.”

What will be the TSG’s main tasks during the tournament?

PZ: “Our core work is observation and analysis. We will assess team performances, identify recurring tactical and technical trends, monitor the development of standout players, and look at how coaches manage tournament football with young squads. We will also produce reports and insights that can support FIFA Member Associations in their own development work. Our role is to look beyond the results and explain what the football is telling us, then share those insights with member associations, coaches and the wider football community. Ultimately, we want to turn what we see in Doha into practical knowledge for the game.”

Why is a large TSG necessary for a tournament of this scale?

PZ: “A 48-team, annual FIFA U-17 World Cup is a major global event, and the number of matches and football stories is enormous. A larger group allows us to cover the tournament properly, with experts able to observe different teams, confederations and playing styles. It also reflects the tournament’s growing importance: this is no longer only a first step for talented teenagers, but a regular global platform where the next generation can compete, develop and be seen by the whole football world. And the FIFA World Cup held in Canada, Mexico and the USA this summer showed just how many positive insights can be gained from a tournament involving 48 teams.”

The Technical Study Group at glance