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What can network science data tell us about how the top five World Cup teams from France, Spain, Argentina, England and Portugal might compete in this year’s international tournament? Brennan Klein, director of Northeastern’s NetSI Sport research group, and Ashley Phillips, head coach for Northeastern’s women’s soccer team, break down the science and strategy behind their success. Included in the analysis of each team are passing cluster maps, which highlight the team’s five most overrepresented passing patterns, players’ most common positions and passing directions among teammates.

Disease surveillance has taken on a whole new meaning in the post-pandemic world, but it takes on an entirely different dimension during global events like the World Cup. With 48 teams coming to the U.S., public health officials have to take into account the spread of disease during soccer’s biggest event. Northeastern researchers have created an innovative new tool that makes it even easier. They also have words of advice for those worried about the World Cup causing an outbreak. “Don’t panic, but don’t dismiss,” said Alessandro Vespignani, the director of Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute.

Every team competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 plays its own brand of the game. One team may play more direct and another may feature their midfielders. Northeastern’s NetSI Sport research group digs into the data and maps, analyzes, and visually highlights teams’ passes, goals, interceptions and more to identify patterns and trends. Here’s a breakdown of what the research says about how the countries ranked in the top five — France, Spain, Argentina, England and Portugal —  might compete in this year’s World Cup?

When it comes to overall threat, the players topping the chart are Lionel Messi of Argentina, France’s Michael Olise, and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior. They aren’t just goal-scorers offering great assists. Their impact also comes from how they’re able to influence their team’s probability of scoring. The top strikers to watch are Norway’s Erling Braut Haaland, England’s Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé of France – with Kane scoring a goal on roughly every third shot he takes. On defense, Croatia’s Luka Vušković stands out, with Brennan Klein, director of Northeastern’s NetSI Sport research group, describing him as “an exemplar defender.” The dribbling category is dominated by Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande and Belgium’s Jérémy Doku.