The Basque nursery shaping world selections

Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Eibar Iraola share a common origin: the Spanish Basque region. These three tacticians, now in command of Europe's biggest clubs, embody a school of tactical thought that radiates far beyond the Iberian Peninsula. Their respective successes are attracting the attention of federations with a view to the 2026 World Cup. This lineage of Basque coaches demonstrates the growing influence of this region on top-level world football.