Nations League and beyond: England’s fluid attack, France’s late surge and football’s governance tests

The Nations League has delivered its share of drama this week, but the real intrigue lies beyond the scorelines. England’s tactical evolution, France’s late-game resurgence, and a governance crisis in Djibouti’s football federation offer a snapshot of the sport’s broader shifts—on and off the pitch.

England’s tactical gamble: unlocking Bellingham’s potential

England’s 7-0 rout of Croatia last week was more than a statement of intent. It was a glimpse into how Gareth Southgate’s side might finally bridge the gap between promise and silverware. The key? A more fluid attacking structure, designed to liberate Jude Bellingham from the constraints of rigid positioning.

Assistant coach Anthony Barry, speaking after the match, hinted at the philosophy behind the shift. “We don’t want our key attackers caged in,” he said, a nod to the adjustments made since the World Cup. The numbers back him up: Bellingham, now operating in a freer role, has been directly involved in six of England’s last eight goals in the Nations League. The question is whether this approach can be sustained against elite defences—or if it’s merely a work in progress ahead of Euro 2028, which England will co-host.

The challenge is consistency. England’s attacking fluidity has been a double-edged sword in recent years, dazzling in patches but prone to stalling under pressure. If Southgate can refine this system, it could redefine the team’s identity. For now, the Nations League serves as a laboratory, with the stakes rising as the tournament progresses.

France’s late surge: Zidane’s tactical masterstroke or Belgium’s collapse?

Zinedine Zidane’s return to the France bench has been anything but smooth. Before Monday’s Nations League clash with Belgium, Les Bleus had drawn their first two matches under his stewardship, raising questions about his ability to inspire a new generation. Then came the 4-1 demolition of Belgium—a result that flattered France but also underscored their lethal efficiency in transition.

The match turned in a 14-minute spell late in the second half, when France scored four times to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Michael Olise, a second-half substitute, was the catalyst, his pace and creativity exposing Belgium’s high line. The victory was Zidane’s first competitive win on home soil, but it came with caveats. Belgium, missing key players, struggled to contain France’s counter-attacks, and their defensive frailties raised doubts about their readiness for Euro 2028 qualifiers.

For France, the performance was a reminder of their depth. With Kylian Mbappé’s future still uncertain, Zidane is banking on young talent like Olise to fill the void. The question is whether this late-game ruthlessness can be replicated against sterner opposition—or if it was merely a product of Belgium’s vulnerabilities.

Djibouti’s governance crisis: football’s latest institutional fracture

While the Nations League dominates headlines, a quieter crisis is unfolding in Djibouti. The country’s football federation (FDF) has been plunged into chaos after police occupied its headquarters, attempting to oust president Souleiman Waberi. The move, orchestrated by a group of club presidents, escalated when authorities ordered Waberi and his executive committee to vacate the premises without a court order.

The FDF has accused the police of overreach, framing the incident as an attempt to destabilise Djibouti’s football governance. Waberi, a Fifa council member, has faced mounting opposition in recent weeks, with critics accusing him of mismanagement. The standoff highlights the fragility of football’s institutional structures, particularly in smaller federations where political interference is rife.

Fifa’s silence on the matter is telling. The governing body has a history of intervening in such disputes, but its reluctance to comment suggests a cautious approach—perhaps waiting to see how the situation evolves before wading in. For now, Djibouti’s football remains in limbo, a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the sport’s governance.

What to watch: the next chapter

The Nations League continues to serve as a proving ground for tactical innovation and emerging talent. England’s fluidity, France’s late-game resilience, and the governance issues in Djibouti are all pieces of a larger puzzle. As Euro 2028 looms, the tournament’s outcomes will shape narratives far beyond the group stage. For now, the focus remains on the pitch—but the sport’s structural challenges are never far from the surface.