Overview
- Reporting on Saturday showed that 39 of 60 penalties at the 2026 World Cup have been scored, a 65 percent conversion rate that is the lowest in tournaments since 1938.
- Several high-profile players missed in-game spot kicks this summer, and shootout misses by multiple central defenders have directly led to team eliminations, with Germany reportedly naming takers minutes before losing a round-of-32 shootout to Paraguay.
- Analysts note a longer downward trend in conversion rates since 2014 and say expanded video and data scouting helps goalkeepers anticipate shooters’ preferred placement and run-up cues.
- Tactical devices meant to unsettle keepers, such as stuttered run-ups, have underperformed this tournament, with eight of 16 such regular-play penalties missed and experts saying the move no longer surprises goalkeepers.
- Pundits have raised developing, unproven explanations—including claims the adidas Trionda ball can swerve and that extreme heat degrades technique—while sports psychologists warn that poor selection and lack of routine can leave takers mentally unprepared and affect careers and team strategies.