FIFA Announces 11-Member Panel for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has unveiled an 11-member technical study group for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will take place at Estadio Azteca. The panel, led by FIFA senior football expert Pascal Zuberbühler, includes former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, ex-German striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rican legend Paulo Wanchope, and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva.

Other members of the panel are Tobin Heath, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jayn Ludlow, and Aron Winter. This group will analyze matches and determine the winners of major individual awards during the tournament, including the Golden Ball, Golden Glove, and Best Young Player Award.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with a total of 104 matches scheduled across the competition.