India, June 28 -- For two decades, possession has occupied an almost sacred place in the football's tactical vocabulary. The success of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona and Spain's golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup bookended by back-to-back Euro titles convinced an entire generation that controlling the ball meant controlling the game. The philosophy was simple - monopolise possession, tire the opposition physically and mentally, and eventually create and convert openings.

The 2026 World Cup however is offering another reminder that football has moved beyond the equation of possession equalling superiority. While top teams still continue to dominate the ball, the ascent of some other sides is offering a different narrative that domi...