Comparative Analysis of Goal Situations in Modern Football: The Role of Players of Different Positions at the 2022–2026 World Cups

The current stage in the development of football is characterised by an extremely high intensity of play, compactness on the pitch and the constant refinement of tactical formations. In these circumstances, the ability to convert scoring opportunities becomes a decisive factor in a team’s success.The purpose of the study is to determine and comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of players of different positions (forwards, midfielders, defenders) in creating and converting goal-scoring situations in modern football, based on the analysis of matches from the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.Material and Methods. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of 168 matches played at the World Cups: 64 matches of the 2022 World Cup (Qatar) and 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup (USA, Mexico, and Canada). Mathematical statistics methods were used for data processing, including the calculation of mean values and the assessment of the significance of differences using Student's t-test with determination of significance levels (p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.001).Results. The analysis indicates a pronounced functional specialization of players of different lines in the context of creating goal-scoring moments. It was established that forwards dominate in converting moments after interactions in the central zone (50.7), which statistically significantly exceeds the figures for midfielders (25.1) and defenders (3.9). Midfielders demonstrate high effectiveness both in the central zone and in flank interactions (10.7), ensuring the transitional phase of the game. Of particular note are the indicators for defenders, who show their highest effectiveness in finishing from set-pieces (7.3) compared to other game situations. The assessment of significance (t-test) confirms that the differences between the indicators of players of different lines are statistically significant (most values p<0.001 and p<0.01), which is graphically reflected in the results of the t-criterion analysis.Conclusions. The study confirms that the tactical structure of modern football requires players of different lines to possess specific skills for finishing attacks. Forwards remain the key link in central finishing, while defenders have become a critical element in success during set-pieces. The obtained t-test data proves a high degree of validity for the identified differences, which can be used to optimize the training process and develop specialized tactical skills for football players depending on their position.