Eberechi Eze has made it clear that he will not change his distinctive stuttered penalty run-up if selected to take a spot-kick for England during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Arsenal attacking midfielder remains committed to his approach despite missing a crucial penalty in the recent Champions League final.
Refuses to change technique
The 27-year-old confirmed that he plans to stick with his trademark penalty style this summer, even after failing to convert his effort in a tense shootout against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. Eze, who is part of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad, is determined to help end the nation’s 60-year wait for a major international trophy.
When asked if the painful miss might force a rethink, Eze responded confidently: “No, I think I have been taking penalties for a long time and it’s part of my journey. You just have to keep improving and finding new ways to get better. I’m not going to stress about it because I know I’m in this position for a reason and all the work I’ve put in behind the scenes.”
Prepared for another shootout
England’s history with penalty shootouts has often been turbulent, but Eze says he is ready to step up again if needed during the knockout stages in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. He insists that his confidence remains strong and that he would not hesitate to take responsibility.
“If called upon, absolutely. Why wouldn’t I take it?” Eze said. “Football gives you everything — highs and lows — and you’ve got to accept it all and enjoy it. Playing in a Champions League final is exactly where I want to be. We’ll aim to reach that stage again next season, and if there’s a penalty to take, I’ll be there for it.”
Learning from Saka and Rashford
Eze revealed that he has spoken with teammates Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, both of whom endured similar setbacks in the Euro 2020 final. The Arsenal midfielder believes those experiences have helped him develop the mental strength needed to handle pressure on the biggest stage.
“All top players have missed big penalties and gone through moments like that,” Eze said. “I’ve had messages from a lot of people about it. For me, it’s not something I wish hadn’t happened. I’m actually thankful it did — I’ll grow and learn from it. Even before speaking to them, you can see how the best players carry themselves. You step up, you do your job — if you miss, you miss; if you score, you score. It’s about having the mentality to keep going. That’s part of the journey.”
Winning mentality in the camp
Despite the heartbreak of the Champions League defeat, Eze joined up with the national team in high spirits after Arsenal secured their first Premier League title since 2004. He believes that the winning mentality among Tuchel’s squad — filled with players who have enjoyed success at club level this season — will be crucial for England’s World Cup hopes.
He concluded: “I think it’s vital for a player’s confidence to have that experience of winning, of achieving what you set out to do. It gives you a different level of belief, and when many players have that same feeling, it only benefits the team. Every season brings more experience and lessons that prepare you for what’s next. Winning gives you conviction and trust in yourself that you can go all the way — and we’ll definitely carry that with us.”
How far can England go at the World Cup?
