Editorial
How Messi, Mbappe and Haaland use their brains (as well as feet) to gain a psychological edge at the World Cup
The Conversation
18 Jun 2026
Abstract
Part of soccer’s beauty lies in its unpredictability.
Already in World Cup 2026, we have seen Morocco tie with five-time champion Brazil and Australia overturn the odds by beating Turkey. But few surprises will top a Cabo Verde team ranked 67th at the start of the tournament holding Spain – many pundits’ pick for the title – to a 0-0 draw.
But what goes into deciding whether a team wins, draws or loses? Of course, the quality of the players and coaching staff matters. And recent advances in sports analytics, including real-time player geolocation metrics, have led to the adoption of data-driven in-game decisions. Top football teams increasingly rely on big data and predictive algorithms to gain an advantage.
But sports psychology plays a big role, too. And that is where I come in. I have a passion for sports in general and soccer in particular – it is the game I grew up playing in Germany.
Now, as a sport psychologist and director of the Global Sport Leadership Solutions Lab at Drexel University, I study how players and coaches can manage chaos on the pitch to strategically improve performance and win.
Below, I outline several modern psychological principles that are essential to all 48 teams battling it out in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Details
- Title
- How Messi, Mbappe and Haaland use their brains (as well as feet) to gain a psychological edge at the World Cup
- Creators
- Eric A Zillmer - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Publication Details
- The Conversation
- Resource Type
- Editorial
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Other Identifier
- 991022189370504721