Ikoli Victor
Doha
FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, and all-time great football manager, Arsene Wenger has advised team members of the 32 World Cup participating nations to focus on mental preparation, knowing that they will only have one week between the leagues and start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November.
Wenger was speaking at the 8th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2022 in Doha, which began on Monday with the theme ‘Football Performance and Science,’ emphasising the importance of data in football development.
Being held in collaboration with FIFA, the Summit has a line-up of high-profile guests including football legends David Beckham and Wenger.
The two-day Global Summit at Aspire Academy’s Football Performance Center brings together delegates to share their knowledge, experience and research in football performance and science.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is set to begin on November 20 and conclude on December 18. This will be the first World Cup held in ‘winter’ and in a country with least travelling distance between stadiums.
Wenger expressed his thoughts on the FIFA World Cup, which is now only 47 days away, saying, “What I expect is a great World Cup, and there are a lot of expectations all over the world.
“For the first time, we have 32 countries in a very small space, and football can demonstrate fraternity and enjoyment together in moments when the world is not in good shape, and football can be a unique example during this World Cup so that we can contribute to world peace and harmony. We also have fantastic football games.”
In advising coaches on how to work with their players ahead of the Middle East and Arab world’s biggest football showpiece, the former Arsenal manager said: “You don’t have to work with the players for long for this World Cup because there is only one week of preparation, so if you haven’t done it before, it will be very difficult. I’ve seen many World Cup preparations where teams arrive already in poor mental shape, so the team has no chance of success. There is no need for physical preparation because the time between championships will be very short. I’ll recommend mental preparation for the competition because there isn’t time to think about it because leagues end on Sunday and the World Cup begins the following Sunday.”
Wenger also stated that he expects the “best players” to arrive at the World Cup in “the best physical shape.”
“I’ve had players who went to the World Cup after playing sixty games and were exhausted at the tournament. This time, there will be 20-25 games, so it will be different, and strong players will participate.”
When asked to prioritise between data and expertise, Wenger stated that he believes the expert has the final say. He recalled his early coaching days, when it was difficult to obtain information, but now experts are flooded with information, and he must choose three or four pieces of information to help him make better decisions.
Furthermore, he stated, “I know in some clubs scientists have taken over decision making, but I don’t think that’s right.” Scientists are there to assist experts in making better decisions; we must maintain this priority.”
Wenger added that FIFA has a responsibility to ensure football is developing at the same rate everywhere, especially children between the ages of 12-17.
He informed that among FIFA’s global development initiatives for the game is the creation of the FIFA Training Centre, which is proving an invaluable tool in the training of coaches. Instructors can benefit from a wealth of technical information, analysis and resources designed by renowned experts and coaches. Through this policy of identifying and developing talent, players and coaches on a global scale, Wenger hopes to see a narrowing of the development gaps between different regions,
During Wenger’s masterclass, World Cup 2022 Ambassador David Beckham praised Wenger for his deep insight and vast knowledge of the game. He did, however, disagree with Wenger’s assertion that players who play from the flanks naturally fade away.
The former England captain also asked the Frenchman who he believes will win the World Cup, and he predicted France!
Juan Sebastián Veron, former Argentine national team player and president of Estudiantes de la Plata, was the star guest at Monday’s session.
“Meeting the right people with the right expertise throughout your career increases your longevity as a football player,” he said.
Also, former Manchester United and France player Mikaël Silvestre described the session as a fantastic occasion to share knowledge and learn about the game things behind it, analysis, preparation and data.
On the World Cup, Miakel said: “Its been long time coming since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. From day one its been a long journey but now it is so close to the event, there will be more excitement.”
Wenger stated that the FIFA Training Centre, which has proven to be an invaluable tool in the training of coaches, is one of FIFA’s global development initiatives for the game. A wealth of technical information, analysis, and resources designed by renowned experts and coaches are available to instructors.
Wenger hopes that by identifying and developing talent, players, and coaches on a global scale, the development gaps between different regions will be narrowed.
For the second time since its establishment in 2014, the Aspire Academy Global Summit is being held in person on home soil. Representatives from all 32 qualified World Cup teams have been joined by more than 50 members of the Aspire in the World Fellows, which includes some of the biggest clubs in global football, several national football associations as well as leagues.
In his welcoming comments, Aspire Academy’s Director General Ivan Bravo highlighted the importance of youth development in football saying it is one of the key building blocks towards the pinnacle of the sport - the World Cup.
Bravo pointed out that the Summit is being hosted at the Football Performance Centre where Aspire Academy and the Qatar Football Association (QFA) converge. “We are proud that this is the home of all of Qatar’s national teams and an example of where youth development and the highest levels of football work together to ensure continuity,” he added.
Bravo also invited FIFA to become a permanent partner of the Global Summit in its future editions.
Wenger echoed Bravo’s sentiments on the importance of youth development.
“I have visited Aspire Academy several times and I have always been impressed by the quality of the facilities and training here as well as the rationale behind it,” he said.
“There is a direct correlation between the education and training of youngsters and success of senior national teams.” he added.
The day’s Star Chat featured former Argentina and Manchester United midfielder, Juan Sebastian Veron. He highlighted how data can make an impact in football, pointing out that it is something clubs in Argentina have started to embrace in recent times. He said data analysis can help support players and inform their strategies but insisted creativity and skill on the pitch will always be key. He is certain that the World Cup in Qatar will be a great tournament.
“The compactness of the tournament is a great benefit for the teams and fans,” said the President of Estudiantes de La Plata Club.
The day’s sessions concluded with a round table on “Making an impact with data” with panelists including analysts from Croatian, Danish, Swiss, Royal Belgian Football Associations, FC Barcelona, and Aspire Academy Senior Football Physiologist. All of whom reiterated the notion that while data and analysis are very important but can neither replace creativity nor football expertise.
