Why the 2026 World Cup is the tournament of the ‘bonus back’

Colombia's Daniel Munoz scores an acrobatic goal in his country's win over Uzbekistan Carl Recine/Getty Images

By Liam TharmeJune 22, 2026 Updated

Two years ago I was introduced to the concept of the ‘bonus back.’

It’s a term used by one of the coaches at the PSV Eindhoven academy to describe the importance of having a wide defender — full-back or wing-back — join in attacks and crash the box. Their logic was simple: opponents prioritise defending the main threats and often a wide defender can ghost in unmarked to score or create a goal.

We’re seeing that at the 2026 World Cup. Midway through the second round of group-stage matches, close to two-thirds the number of games have been played compared to 2022 and 2018 — this tournament is four groups and 16 teams bigger. Already the total number of touches in the opposition box by defenders is higher than the group stages of the past two World Cups, at one every 54 minutes, having been seen at a rate of every 83 and 97 minutes previously.

They are a key solution in breaking down low blocks, especially when up against a back five.

The standout move of this variety was Luis Diaz’s ball over the Uzbekistan defence for right-back Daniel Munoz, who makes these box-crashing runs so often for Crystal Palace.

Munoz sprinted in behind Uzbekistan left centre-back Rustam Ashurmatov and jumped acrobatically to poke in the opening goal.

“They played a 5-4-1 and closed spaces very well,” said Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo of their opposition. “I like us to be the main character with the ball, playing in opposition territory.”

As per FIFA’s post-match report, Uzbekistan spent 34 per cent of time without the ball in a low block and a further 26 per cent in a mid-block, content to stay in shape and protect central passing lanes.

Note where their back five is positioned in the grab above. Most teams try to avoid retreating into their own box unless they are forced to, which gives more space for Munoz to run into, while there is insufficient pressure on ball carrier Diaz, who can pick out his right-back.

Iran right back Ramin Rezaeian scored against New Zealand in a 2-2 draw after what was effectively a one-two with midfielder Saman Ghoddos. When Shahriar Moghanlou, their striker, had his shot blocked by Finn Surman, the underlapping run by Rezaeian proved decisive for a tap-in.

Another example can be found for Croatia’s second equaliser in their 4-2 defeat to England, as Thomas Tuchel’s side sat in at the end of the first half to try and take their 2-1 lead into half-time.

Once more, with not enough pressure on the ball, midfielder Mario Pasalic can find the out-to-in run of left wing-back Ivan Perisic. His high start position caused England right back Reece James issues, which meant the temporary back five (left winger Anthony Gordon came deep) held their line on the edge of the box but could not execute the intended offside trap.

Perisic headed Pasalic’s pass into the path of Petar Musa, who duly scored. “We spent way too much time in a low block,” Tuchel said after. Pre-match he pointed out the crossing threat that Perisic offered — he identified the danger man but got the manner of his threat wrong.

Portugal had little success in opening up DR Congo, who earned a famous 1-1 draw with a game-plan built around defending deep as a 5-3-2 — indeed, 37 per cent of their time defending was in a low block, and 32 per cent in a mid block.

The only goal for Roberto Martinez’s side came through Joao Neves, with the diminutive midfielder timing his run to meet Pedro Neto’s cross.

Beyond that their chances were limited, outshot eight to seven by DR Congo as their patterns centred around Cristiano Ronaldo failed to produce anything of true value.

The best creative moment came when right-back Joao Cancelo worked the ball to No 10 Bruno Fernandes, and when DR Congo moved out, he attacked the box and made a run between the centre-backs. Fernandes picked out Neves, who set the ball to Cancelo, and he scored, but the goal was ruled out because the right-back was offside.

Also frustrated in the opening round were Spain and Turkey. The former endured a goalless draw with World Cup debutants Cape Verde, dominating with 74 per cent possession.

Cape Verde set up in a 4-5-1 in the midfield third and dropped the wingers down when deeper, effectively into a 6-3-1. Spain’s best attacking move, which produced statistically their best chance of the game, was Rodri’s dink into left-back Marc Cucurella.

Ferran Torres ought to have scored from Cucurella’s downward header, which gave him a tap-in from six yards out. But he hit the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.

“They are a very organised team,” head coach Luis de la Fuente told TV Espana of Cape Verde post-match. “They sat in a low block with practically 10 defenders in front of their area. It’s very difficult to find spaces like that. At times maybe we lacked a bit more circulation of the ball, to generate more spaces.”

To that point, striker Mikel Oyazarbal (12) was the only Spain starter to have more touches in the opposition box than nominal left-back Cucurella (seven).

Likewise for Turkey, who were eliminated after just two matches following losses to Australia (2-0) and Paraguay (1-0). Their high-volume, low-quality approach to chance creation fell flat on its face, with 30 shots worth 1.36 expected goals in the first round and 2.17 expected goals from 32 efforts in that decisive defeat against Paraguay — they rank seventh-bottom for average shot quality.

One of their better moments of chance creation owed to midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu sliding a pass between Australia’s left wing-back and left winger, for right-back Zeki Celik. From a narrow angle, he shot straight at goalkeeper Patrick Beach.

Lateral defenders have been asked to fulfil a variety of different roles in recent years. Overlapping and crossing full-backs were preferred in the late 2010s, then many coaches wanted midfielders who could operate out wide as well as in central spaces, before a shift back to height, physicality and duel-winners, which has seen plenty of centre-backs moved across.

At the 2022 World Cup the trend was balancing one attack-minded full-back with one pure defender. This is an evolution of that, as through balls are more frequently at this tournament than the past two. Meanwhile attacks, on average, are moving upfield more slowly and long, settled possessions in the attacking half are common. The bonus back is emerging as an effective tactic.