“Soccer is a game of constantly moving parts — keeping track of it can be disorienting. Thankfully, starting formations provide a useful initial reference point, helping us make sense of the unfolding chaos. In theory, there are thousands of possible configurations of defenders, midfielders and forwards. In reality, most are captured by six broad shapes: 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 3-4-2-1 and 4-5-1. Since 2019-20, these six have accounted for 88 per cent of all formations used in club matches played in Europe’s top five leagues, and they will be the dominant shapes at the 2026 World Cup. …”
NYT/ATH

“The 2026 World Cup is here, and it’s bigger than ever before. To help you follow the tournament, The Athletic has identified 200 players that we’re calling the Stars of Soccer. Some are household names — yes, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are here — but plenty are not. Our guide has players from all 48 nations, including six Americans and seven members of England’s team. This list is not a collection of rankings. Instead, we’ve put these players into one of five categories: Legends, Superstars, Key players, Rising stars and Unsung heroes. You can sort or filter them however you’d like, including by country or professional club. Each link leads to a comprehensive profile, detailed charts breaking down a player’s most important characteristics and a name pronunciation guide. Whether you just want to brush up on your favorite team or learn about an upcoming opponent, we have you covered. …”
NYT/ATH