Why the 5-3-2 is making a comeback ahead of WC 2026
Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland have all rolled out a back-five in qualifying. The reasons are tactical, not defensive.
Villageside Press · · 6 min read
The 5-3-2 — long associated with conservative football — is being reimagined by coaches who want width without committing wingers. With wing-backs operating as full midfielders, the shape morphs into 3-5-2 in possession and 5-3-2 out of it. Expect to see this in pool matches where teams want to neutralize wide attackers like Mbappé, Vinicius and Saka. The trade-off is central congestion — which is why teams running this shape are also drilling vertical through-balls.