World Cup 2026

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Across
  1. 6. Tactical defensive system using five defenders (8)
  2. 7. Official responsible for offside calls (8)
  3. 9. Defensive midfield role shielding the back line (6)
  4. 11. Confederation governing European football (4)
  5. 13. Confederation with the most World Cup titles historically (6)
  6. 16. Ranking metric based on disciplinary record (8)
  7. 17. Defensive tactic focusing on individual opponents (10)
  8. 21. Player introduced after kickoff (10)
  9. 23. Appearance of the World Cup trophy material (4)
  10. 24. Team leader on the pitch (7)
  11. 26. Randomised team allocation process (4)
  12. 27. Match official supporting the referee (9)
  13. 28. Primary method to separate tied teams in group stages (14)
  14. 30. Infringement involving attacking positioning (7)
  15. 31. Country staging tournament matches (10)
  16. 33. Match official overseeing substitutions (6)
  17. 34. Planned dead‑ball situation (8)
  18. 35. Zone where spot kicks are awarded (11)
  19. 37. Disciplinary caution from referee (10)
  20. 40. Combined score over two legs (9)
  21. 41. Minutes added at the end of a half (10)
Down
  1. 1. Rapid transition from defence to offence (15)
  2. 2. Deciding match for qualification (7)
  3. 3. Change in ball path after contact (10)
  4. 4. Player position tasked with preventing goals (6)
  5. 5. Stage played immediately before the final (9)
  6. 8. Restart taken by defending team (8)
  7. 10. Goalkeeper known for reflex saves (11)
  8. 12. Advantage of playing in your own country (4)
  9. 14. Newly introduced knockout stage in the 48‑team format (8)
  10. 15. Additional period played after a draw (9)
  11. 18. Dismissal from the match (7)
  12. 19. Award for the tournament’s top goal scorer (10)
  13. 20. Matches determining tournament entry (10)
  14. 22. Match official with final authority (7)
  15. 25. Technology used to review on‑field decisions (3)
  16. 29. Stadium quality affected by altitude and crowd noise (10)
  17. 32. Confederation including USA, Canada, and Mexico (8)
  18. 36. Opening phase of the tournament (10)
  19. 38. Defensive system covering areas, not players (13)
  20. 39. Match completed without conceding a goal (10)