The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage brings some of the most dramatic moments in soccer, and nothing creates more tension than a penalty shootout. When teams remain tied after regulation and extra time, penalties determine which nation advances and which heads home.
Here’s everything fans need to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup penalty shootout rules.
When Are Penalty Shootouts Used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Penalty shootouts are only used during the knockout stage of the tournament. This includes:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Third-Place Match
- FIFA World Cup Final
Group stage matches do not go to penalties. If a group-stage match ends level after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, each team receives one point.
What Happens Before a Penalty Shootout?
If a knockout match is tied after:
- 90 minutes of regulation
- Stoppage time
- 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute periods)
the match moves directly to a penalty shootout.
The score after extra time remains the official match score, while the penalty shootout determines which team advances.
How Do Penalty Shootouts Work?
Each team takes five penalty kicks, alternating one attempt at a time.
The team with the most successful penalties after five kicks wins the shootout.
If one team builds an insurmountable lead before all five kicks are taken, the shootout ends immediately.
Example
If Team A leads 4-1 after four rounds, Team B cannot catch up with only one kick remaining. Team A is declared the winner without the final kick being taken.
What Happens If the Shootout Is Still Tied?
If both teams remain level after five penalties each, the shootout enters sudden death.
In sudden death:
- Both teams continue taking one penalty each.
- The first round in which one team scores and the other misses decides the winner.
There is no limit to the number of sudden-death rounds until a winner is determined.
Which Players Can Take Penalties?
Only players who are on the field when extra time ends are eligible to participate in the shootout.
Every eligible player must take a penalty before any player can take a second attempt. This means goalkeepers may also be required to shoot if the shootout lasts long enough.
Can Goalkeepers Take Penalties?
Yes.
Goalkeepers are eligible to take penalty kicks just like any other player on the field.
If a goalkeeper is injured during the shootout and the team still has a substitution available under FIFA competition rules, the goalkeeper may be replaced.
How Is the Penalty Shootout Started?
Before penalties begin, the referee conducts coin tosses to determine:
- Which goal the penalties will be taken at (if necessary).
- Which team kicks first.
FIFA considered modifying this procedure before the 2026 World Cup knockout stage, but the traditional format remains in place.
How Are World Cup Matches Recorded?
The official match score remains the result after extra time.
For example:
Brazil 2, Japan 2 (Brazil won 4-2 on penalties)
The scoreline stays 2-2, while the penalty result determines which team advances to the next round.
Why Penalty Shootouts Matter
Penalty shootouts have produced some of the most unforgettable moments in FIFA World Cup history. Legendary saves, heartbreaking misses, and championship-winning kicks have decided World Cup champions and ended title dreams.
With the expanded 48-team format introducing a Round of 32 for the first time, fans can expect even more knockout matches—and more opportunities for dramatic penalty shootouts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do World Cup group stage games go to penalties?
No. Group-stage matches can end in a draw, with each team earning one point.
How long is extra time in the World Cup?
Extra time consists of two 15-minute periods for a total of 30 minutes.
How many penalties does each team get?
Each team receives five penalty kicks before sudden death begins if the score remains tied.
Can the same player take every penalty?
No. Every eligible player must take a kick before any player is allowed to take a second penalty.
Do penalty shootout goals count toward a player’s tournament total?
No. Goals scored during a penalty shootout do not count toward a player’s official tournament goal tally or awards such as the Golden Boot.