Wales-based team to provide opponents of England and other richer football squads with detailed analytics

Fifa has established a team of data analysts in Wales who will provide less competitive footballing nations with detailed information on the England team and other richer football associations.

The database aims to provide the same data analysis benefits to lesser-developed national sides as enjoyed by richer footballing nations like Gareth Southgate’s side.

The Fifa team based in Newport will build a database before the World Cup in Qatar which can be accessible to all competing teams.

They will also provide live analysis of major tournaments during matches, with 25 analysts involved in every game.

Each player will be monitored by one analyst with information about the style of play, the systems being used, and strengths and weaknesses of teams’ approaches.

According to the Times newspaper, the idea has been brought about by Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager who is now Fifa’s head of global football development, and Steve McClaren, the former England manager.

“Fifa’s vision is to make football more globally competitive so it is not the same nations winning major tournaments all the time,” Steve McClaren said.

“If we can give information to a country like Ghana, that’s got to be good for football.”