USMNT prepares for potential World Cup penalty shootouts
CBS 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.
- 1:28 PMCBS Sports — USMNT penalty kicks plan: How Mauricio Pochettino prepared for World Cup's ultimate shootout tie-breaker
- 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...
"Beginning with the round of 32, where the USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, all World Cup games are win or go home and will be decided on penalty kicks if the score is tied after 120 minutes
"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- CBS SportsJul 1, 2026, 1:28 PMUSMNT penalty kicks plan: How Mauricio Pochettino prepared for World Cup's ultimate shootout tie-breaker
Beginning with the round of 32, where the USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, all World Cup games are win or go home and will be decided on penalty kicks if the score is tied after 120 minutes
- 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...
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