Former England international Joe Cole has expressed his belief that the national team’s chances at the upcoming 48-team World Cup in North America could depend on their ability to “master the arts” of set-pieces. He suggests that the tournament might be decided by how teams perform during corners and free-kicks, especially after a Premier League season where dead-ball situations played a significant role.
This comes as FIFA reportedly plans to enforce stricter rules against physicality in the penalty area, a tactic that Arsenal notably used to secure the title. Cole highlighted that FIFA has made it clear they will be more strict this time around, stating that referees have been too lenient in recent years, allowing for some questionable decisions.
“FIFA have come out and said that they’re going to be stringent, they’re going to be pulling up on things,” Cole told the Press Association. “The referees have lost it in the last two years, and it’s allowed for some nonsense to go on, actually.”
He added that if FIFA returns to normal, set-pieces will still be important. However, he warned: “But if FIFA don’t crack down on it and let it go and it be a free-for-all, then the team that masters the arts best will be in with a better chance. But it sounds like they’re going to be a little bit more strict on it, they’re always important, most set-pieces.”
Cole noted that Premier League set-pieces often resembled wrestling matches, with detailed VAR checks determining which infringements occurred and in what order. He believes referees need to take back control of the game.
“I think I’d like to see a ref just going, ‘I’ve seen you pull his shirt, mate, that’s a foul, let’s get on with it’,” he added. “And then if he does it again, that’s a foul. Book him, let’s get on with it.”
He continued: “Then all of a sudden you send someone off for pulling shirts and giving a penalty and we get back to it being very clear, if you hold someone’s shirt in the box, you are going to give away a penalty.”
Cole concluded: “For some of the time this year the referee could have picked one of five fouls to give, so you don’t need VAR for that, it’s clear as day. I hope we’re just refs, just taking control. But the players and the managers have to do their part.”
The conversation then shifted to England’s squad selection, which saw manager Thomas Tuchel raise eyebrows with his choices, leaving Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Harry Maguire out of the team. Cole, who was part of an England team that struggled to fit its best players into a working system, has supported Tuchel’s approach.
“We’ve had our furore about the squad, nobody would have picked the same 26 players, and everyone’s got an opinion,” Cole said. “I think it’s just a case of let’s not keep talking about the players that are not there, let’s keep talking about the players that are there, and the players that are going to help us win, because we’ve got so many matchwinners.”
He added: “I think Thomas has got a style of play, and he’s picked a certain type of player who could fit that style.”
“So we know how we’re going to play and we know we’ve got the players who can perform that role, and it’s just going to be how well they can execute the plan. And can we get our best players flying? I think we’re one of 12 teams that can win it, and things will have to happen.”
Joe Cole was speaking to Press Association as part of his role as ambassador for Enterprise’s #OnEveryCorner program, which gives fans in the UK and Ireland a chance to win a car when a corner kick goal is scored. To enter, participants must post #OnEveryCorner and #Sweepstakes and tag @Enterprise on X or via OnEveryCorner.com from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
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