In England's 4-2 win over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, captain Harry Kane scored twice from set-pieces – one a penalty, the other a header from a Declan Rice corner. It was exactly the kind of threat that England manager Thomas Tuchel has been working on since his appointment in January 2025, and a reminder that in modern football, dead-ball situations are more decisive than ever.
Set-pieces are any situation where play is restarted after a stoppage – corners, free-kicks, penalties, and throw-ins. At the highest level, they are now treated as one of the most important ways to score. Arsenal, for example, scored a record 19 goals from corners last season as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years. The Gunners scored 25 set-play goals in total, and their designated taker, Declan Rice, says he feels he will get an assist "every time" he puts down the ball. Rice became Arsenal's set-piece specialist in January 2024 after a mid-season training camp in Dubai, when set-piece coach Nico Jover and manager Mikel Arteta identified his ability to deliver dangerous balls into the box. "They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]," Rice told BBC Sport. "I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it's a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I'm going to get an assist or make something happen that's dangerous."
“Explains the growing importance of set-pieces in football, featuring Declan Rice and England's World Cup tactics.”
This emphasis on set-pieces is a relatively recent trend in English football. For years, many top Premier League sides treated them as incidental. But data analysis and specialist coaching have transformed them into a core tactical weapon. Arsenal's success has been influential – they faced some criticism for a pragmatic style and reliance on set-pieces, but the results speak for themselves. Now, England are following suit. Tuchel, who took over from Gareth Southgate, wants to replicate the style of play seen in the Premier League. "A lot of the way we've taken [set-pieces] hasn't changed much in terms of movements, the way I deliver the ball," Rice explained. "This has been going on in the lead-up for the past year, so the lads know what's coming." For UK readers watching the World Cup, the impact is tangible. Set-pieces often determine tight matches: Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in their opener, while Belgium are relying on their tournament experience. Knowing how teams approach dead-ball situations can help fans understand why certain players are selected and why matches swing on a single corner. Injuries and availability also play a role – Bukayo Saka, another key set-piece taker, trained alone ahead of England's next group game against Ghana due to a niggling injury.
Q: Why have set-pieces become so important in modern football? Teams now employ dedicated set-piece coaches who analyse delivery, movement, and defensive structures using data. A well-rehearsed routine can yield high-value chances, making set-pieces one of the most efficient ways to score.
Q: How do set-piece specialists like Declan Rice develop their skills? Rice was not always a corner taker; he was identified by Arsenal's set-piece coach during a training camp. Players often practice delivery repeatedly, focusing on trajectory, pace, and targeting specific areas of the box.
Q: What should fans look for when watching set-pieces? Watch for the delivery type (in-swinging vs out-swinging), the runners and blockers inside the box, and the goalkeeper's positioning. Teams often have planned patterns, like a short corner or a near-post flick-on.
What happens next: England continue their World Cup campaign against Ghana, with Tuchel likely to rely on set-pieces if the game is tight. The tournament will showcase which countries have invested most in this overlooked art – and whether traditional heavyweights can adapt to a trend that shows no sign of fading.