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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
James Roberts

Why do teams kick the ball out of play at kick-off?

World Cup France Paris SaintGermain Senegal UEFA Champions League
A general view of kick off during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

A confusing tactical trend has become increasingly widespread in the opening week of the 2026 World Cup.

When teams kick off, rather than play it backwards and keep possession, they instead boot the ball out for a throw-in deep in their opponents’ territory.

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