Possible FIFA Rule Change Means Penalty Kicks Will Rule 2026 World Cup
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 World Cup format includes an extra knockout round, increasing the likelihood of games being decided by penalty shootouts.
- Potential roster expansion to 30 players would create room for teams to select dedicated penalty kick specialists.
- Historical data shows a significant percentage of knockout matches in recent major tournaments (like AFCON and Copa America) are decided by penalties.
- Coaches are increasingly preparing for penalty shootouts meticulously, moving away from the perception that they are based purely on luck.
- Defensive, counter-attacking teams might strategically aim for draws in knockout stages to progress via penalty shootouts, similar to Morocco's 2022 performance.
The significance of penalty kick specialists is set to dramatically increase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, evidenced by historical data showing a high percentage of knockout matches in major tournaments going to shootouts. The tournament's new format adds an extra knockout round, making the path to the trophy longer and statistically increasing the chance that the winner will need to succeed in at least one penalty shootout. A second factor is FIFA's consideration of expanding team rosters from 26 to 30 players, creating space for specialists who would otherwise be excluded. This shift reflects a growing belief among coaches that penalty shootouts are not purely luck, leading to meticulous preparation and tactical adjustments. Teams with strong defenses might even adopt a strategy of aiming for 0-0 draws in knockout matches to rely on shootout success, a tactic partially demonstrated by Morocco's 2022 run and recently by the Morocco U-20 team.
