There is truly nothing in football that compares to the drama of a World Cup penalty shootout. It is the ultimate contest of nerve and skill between the outfield player and the goalkeeper. Score or miss. Progress or go home. Only one side survives.
The penalty shootout is a test of technique, mental strength, and preparation. Though not a flawless way to break a tie, it remains the fairest option available and delivers unmatched tension. Any team advancing beyond the group stage at the World Cup must be prepared for it, even if full preparation is impossible.
The 2026 World Cup has already seen several teams knocked out in penalty shootouts – including some strong favourites. But which teams remain in the tournament, and what are their records when it comes to penalties?
Two of the first four matches in the new Round of 32 were decided from the spot.
Paraguay improved their World Cup shootout record to two victories from two attempts by defeating Germany, 16 years after eliminating Japan in similar fashion. Just hours later, Morocco overcame the Netherlands – maintaining their perfect record too, with two wins out of two at the World Cup.
Team
Shootouts
Won
Lost
Win Percentage
Belgium
1
1
0
100.00%
Australia
5
4
1
80.00%
Argentina
19
13
6
68.42%
United States
9
6
3
66.67%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
3
2
1
66.67%
DR Congo
6
4
2
66.67%
Portugal
8
5
3
62.50%
Croatia
7
4
3
57.14%
Paraguay
9
5
4
55.56%
Morocco
9
5
4
55.56%
Mexico
13
7
6
53.85%
Spain
15
8
7
53.33%
Brazil
15
8
7
53.33%
France
10
5
5
50.00%
Sweden
2
1
1
50.00%
Senegal
8
4
4
50.00%
Colombia
10
5
5
50.00%
Egypt
13
6
7
46.15%
Ivory Coast
11
5
6
45.45%
Algeria
9
4
5
44.44%
England
11
4
7
36.36%
Canada
7
2
5
28.57%
Ghana
7
2
5
28.57%
Switzerland
6
1
5
16.67%
Ecuador
2
0
2
0.00%
Cape Verde
1
0
1
0.00%
Austria
0
0
0
-
Norway
0
0
0
-
Among the teams still in contention at the World Cup, Belgium boast the highest win rate, having emerged victorious in their only shootout to date – against Spain in 1986. While it’s a limited sample, it remains a solid record.
Australia and Argentina have lower percentages but far more experience. Notably, Argentina have won six of their seven World Cup shootouts, including both the quarter-final and final at the previous tournament.
Switzerland have a particularly poor record from the spot, but only two of the remaining teams have lost every shootout they have participated in. Best of luck to Ecuador and Cape Verde as they aim to change that statistic.
At the World Cup, France carry the weight of two shootout defeats in the final, while Spain have lost four of their five. England, in their four World Cup shootouts, have only managed a single win – against Colombia in 2018.
Croatia have featured in four World Cup shootouts and have triumphed in all of them – an impressive record by any measure.
Penalty shootouts are far from being games of chance. They require immense skill, composure, and precision, and are ultimately decided by the duel between the taker and the keeper.
Performing reliably under such intense pressure is a completely different ability compared to simply converting penalties in less stressful situations.
Doing so on football’s grandest stage – the World Cup – is as challenging as it gets. This summer has already shown that even the finest players can falter when confronted with that decisive moment.
