False 9 or No 9?: Has The Role Of Strikers Evolved In This Edition Of FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to test two attack styles: the classic striker and the modern False 9. From Gerd Müller and Miroslav Klose to Ronaldo and Harry Kane, football has long valued the finisher. Now, movement, space and midfield link-up are part of the same role.

A False 9 starts as a striker but often drops into midfield instead of staying among the centre-backs. That shift can pull defenders out of shape and open space for wide players. The idea, seen since the 1960s, became far more visible under Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

Guardiola moved Messi from the right wing into the centre, but not as a fixed striker. Messi was free to come deep, draw defenders and build play. That approach helped Barcelona become a major force and shaped how many club sides, and later national teams, used central forwards at big events.

Messi, Havertz & The ‘Enduring Striker’ Role

Argentina still rely on the traits that made Messi so effective in the role. He is 39, and he would be on June 24, so he may not produce the same burst of pace as before. Even so, he can still drift away from markers and unsettle opponents.

Another strong example is Arsenal and Germany forward Kai Havertz, who Mikel Arteta has often used as a False 9. Yet the traditional striker remains central. Norway’s Erling Haaland offers power and sharp finishing, while Bayern Munich’s heart and England captain Harry Kane are known for strong goal sense, even with Croatia and Ghana set to test him.

Lautaro Martínez’s qualities make him a strong partner for Messi when Argentina begin their campaign. The methods may differ, but the aim stays the same. As the 2026 World Cup unfolds, some teams will use movement and deception, while others will trust the striker’s instinct in the box.