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PlayIQ Insights

Insights & Analysis

Tactical breakdowns, data methodology, and field observations from the PlayIQ team.

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Norway's average positions and passing network overlaid on a PlayIQ Edge pitch during their 2026 World Cup group stage
analysistacticsworld-cup

PlayIQ World Cup: Norway's Tactical Toolbox

A deep tactical breakdown of Norway's build-up against high blocks at the 2026 World Cup — where individual brilliance from Sørloth and Haaland masks a lack of collective tools that could limit how far they go.

Maxi Luedy
Maxi Luedy·30 Jun 2026·8 min read
Canada's defensive block stretched out of shape after their press is bypassed against Morocco
analysistacticsworld-cup

PlayIQ World Cup: Canada vs Morocco — Tactical Preview

A look at both teams' tactical approaches ahead of their Round of 16 meeting — and the key battle that could decide the match.

Mads Storebø·3 Jul 2026·2 min read
Ivory Coast's compact defensive block drawn as a polygon with compactness metrics during their World Cup match against Germany
analysistacticsworld-cup

PlayIQ World Cup: Germany vs Ivory Coast

A tactical breakdown of Germany's comeback against Ivory Coast — how the Ivorians' compact pressing and Diomandé's transitions troubled Germany, and how Nagelsmann's second-half adjustments removed the spaces they thrived in.

Herman Stautland & Mads Storebø·29 Jun 2026·8 min read
South Korea's box-shape midfield highlighted on a pitch-control overlay during their win over Czech Republic
analysistacticsworld-cup

PlayIQ World Cup: South Korea

A tactical breakdown of South Korea's attacking structure and characteristics from their 2-1 win against Czech Republic.

Mads Storebø·24 Jun 2026·8 min read
PlayIQ World Cup: Brazil vs Morocco — tactical breakdown through pitch control and passing-option models
analysispitch-controlworld-cup

PlayIQ World Cup: Brazil vs Morocco

The first in our PlayIQ World Cup series — a tactical breakdown of Brazil vs Morocco through pitch control and passing-option models, where fine margins decided the game.

Trym Sorum
Trym Sorum·19 Jun 2026·7 min read
PlayIQ repositioning tool applied to a match situation — evaluating alternative player positions and their effect on pitch control and passing options
pitch-controlanalysis

Applied Pitch Control #3: Repositioning

We use repositioning to examine an offensive case from the Norwegian Cup Final and a defensive breakdown from Brann's defeat to Sarpsborg 08.

Mads Storebø·13 Jun 2026·8 min read
PlayIQ passing option model layered on top of pitch control — viable passing lanes from a Brann ball carrier highlighted in green
pitch-controlanalysis

Applied Pitch Control #2: Passing Options

Building on Part 1, we layer pitch control with passing option models to assess decision-making in the Norwegian cup final between SK Brann and Bodø/Glimt.

Trym Sorum
Trym Sorum·1 Jun 2026·5 min read
PlayIQ pitch control model applied to a match situation — probability heatmap showing spatial control across the pitch
pitch-controlanalysis

Applied Pitch Control #1: Relevant Space

We apply our pitch control model to the recent derby between SK Brann and Viking — exploring how control of space translates from theory into practical match insight.

Trym Sorum
Trym Sorum·27 Apr 2026·7 min read