USMNT prepares for potential World Cup penalty shootouts
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 11:13 PM
Last updated Jun 30, 2026
As the US Men's National Team gets ready for the 2026 World Cup, head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasizes they have a plan in place should they face a penalty shootout. The team has never participated in a penalty shootout during World Cup play. Preparation includes working with consultants to analyze penalty strategies. Many players, including Christian Pulisic, acknowledge the challenges of taking penalties but express confidence in handling such pressure. The USMNT will continue practicing penalties leading up to their next matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- •USMNT has never had a match go to penalties in World Cup history.
- •Mauricio Pochettino has a structured penalty plan for the team.
- •Christian Pulisic has never missed a penalty for the senior national team.
- •The team trains for penalties ahead of their match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- •Germany and the Netherlands faced knockout drama in recent competitions.
- 11:13 PMYahoo Sports — How USMNT prepare for World Cup penalty drama: confidence, composure and consultants
- 11:13 PMThe Guardian Sport — How USMNT prepare for World Cup penalty drama: confidence, composure and consultants
"The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history. If it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan Who would the US need to beat to win the World Cup? There is perhaps nothing more polarizing in the game of football than a penalty shootout. But however you feel about them, you can’t deny the drama involved, which was on full display in yesterday’s round of 32 matches. Germany were the first to fall victim to the cruel nature of the procedure, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the spot and handing a shock victory to Paraguay. The Netherlands, who have plenty of familiarity with the devastation of losing in a shootout, came next, putting in a poor effort against Morocco, who took full advantage. Continue reading...
"The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history. If it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 11:13 PMHow USMNT prepare for World Cup penalty drama: confidence, composure and consultants
The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history. If it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan
- The Guardian SportJun 30, 2026, 11:13 PMHow USMNT prepare for World Cup penalty drama: confidence, composure and consultants
The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history. If it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan Who would the US need to beat to win the World Cup? There is perhaps nothing more polarizing in the game of football than a penalty shootout. But however you feel about them, you can’t deny the drama involved, which was on full display in yesterday’s round of 32 matches. Germany were the first to fall victim to the cruel nature of the procedure, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the spot and handing a shock victory to Paraguay. The Netherlands, who have plenty of familiarity with the devastation of losing in a shootout, came next, putting in a poor effort against Morocco, who took full advantage. Continue reading...
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- Soccer•Jul 1, 2026, 2:21 AMSenegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy out with injury for knockout round match against Belgium
Soccer•Jul 1, 2026, 2:19 AMKylian Mbappe shines as France honor Didier Deschamps with World Cup win over Sweden
Soccer•Jul 1, 2026, 2:18 AMFIFA clarifies crucial call to disallow Germany go...
SoccerSoccer•Jul 1, 2026, 2:08 AMSpokane soccer fans travel to Santa Clara for Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup match against the U.S.- FIFA World Cup•Jul 1, 2026, 2:01 AMJulian Nagelsmann snaps at reporter after Germany's World Cup exit with future in question
- Soccer•Jul 1, 2026, 1:57 AMFact Check: DECEPTIVELY Reversed Video Appears To Show 'Japan Fans Destroy Stadium After Defeat By Brazil' -- They Were Really Cleaning Up
