The Hidden Motivation for the Overhaul of the Coaching Staff of World Cup Contestants

Revamping the coaching staff is considered a risky decision, especially when done just before a tournament. All the team programs that have been internalized for a long time are at risk of falling apart. However, with careful calculations, this step could be the key to the team's success in the World Cup.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) announced a strategic decision on Friday (17/4/2026). Former Japan national team player who had a long career with Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish League, Shunsuke Nakamura, has been recruited as part of Hajime Moriyasu's coaching staff. Nakamura's appointment adds to Moriyasu's current coaching staff, which now consists of up to eight members. To facilitate the execution of his duties, Moriyasu is assisted by five assistant coaches, one goalkeeper coach, and one fitness coach.

"I am pleased to announce that I will be joining as a coaching staff member for the Japan national team. I have carefully considered the impact of my joining at this very important time, just before the World Cup. After receiving encouraging words and support from Coach Moriyasu, I have decided to accept this position. I will strive to share the same aspirations as the players of the Japan national team competing on the world stage and contribute to achieving the goals set by the team," Nakamura stated in a statement on the JFA website.

Moriyasu is a coach who pays great attention to detail in his work. It is not surprising that he requires a considerable number of assistants to prepare the team. Specifically for Nakamura, he is being prepared as a specialist coach for set pieces, particularly free kicks.

Nakamura's appointment to this position is not without reason. During his active playing days, Nakamura's free kicks were greatly feared in Europe. His free-kick skills even managed to score twice against goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar when Celtic faced Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

Transfermarkt data shows that Nakamura took free kicks in a total of 33 matches. In those 33 matches, he scored 34 goals. While playing for Yokohama F Marinos towards the end of his career, Nakamura scored two free kick goals that proved decisive in his team's victory over Yokohama FC.

With a reputation as one of Japan's best free-kick executors, Nakamura's presence in the Japanese coaching staff is highly strategic. Moriyasu aims to train his players' abilities in executing set pieces, particularly for direct free-kick schemes.

The development of modern football today demands a method of scoring goals that relies not only on open play but also on set pieces. Knowing how to score goals from set pieces is so important that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it a habit, nicknamed Set Piece FC, referring to Arsenal's tendency to score crucial goals from corner kicks.

Unlike the technique of scoring from corner kick situations, the execution of direct free kicks has a higher expected goal value. The free kick technique, as demonstrated by Nakamura's expertise, will be useful when facing opponents who play with a low defensive line. Certainly, such abilities are also beneficial for breaking deadlocks.

Japan is not the only World Cup contestant that has overhauled its coaching staff ahead of the tournament. Rather than changing staff or assistants, Ghana has taken a rather radical step by replacing its head coach.

Veteran World Cup coach Carlos Queiroz has been appointed to replace Otto Addo, who was dismissed due to a series of poor results. Under Addo, Ghana suffered four consecutive defeats against Japan, South Korea, Austria, and Germany. This string of losses led the federation's officials to no longer trust Addo as the architect of the team.

"Queiroz has an extensive track record in the World Cup. He is expected to leverage his wealth of experience during the World Cup," stated the Ghana Football Federation.

This will be the fifth World Cup for the Portuguese coach. The former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at MU previously led the Portugal national team in the 2010 World Cup.

In addition to Portugal, Queiroz's career is also noted for leading Iran in three World Cups: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. Queiroz briefly led South Africa to qualify for the 2002 World Cup but left his position shortly before the tournament began.

"Football has given me challenges, lessons, and unforgettable journeys throughout my life around the world. Today, I accept this mission with the same enthusiasm and commitment that has guided me throughout my career. This is not just another job; it is a mission," said Queiroz as quoted from the FIFA website.

Replacing a coach ahead of a tournament, as done by Ghana, is based on performance considerations. On the other hand, this decision is susceptible to creating instability within the team. Players who have become accustomed to the training program of the previous coach must readjust themselves.

However, a change of coach before a tournament does not always have fatal consequences. A sweet story was once written by Morocco, which replaced its coach 2.5 months before the 2022 World Cup. At that time, Vahid Halilhodzic was dismissed from his position as head coach and replaced by Walid Regragui.

As a result, Morocco advanced to the semifinals. This achievement remains the best for any African representative at a World Cup to date.