Who will take penalty kicks for England? This is Thomas Tuchel’s strategy in the 2026 World Cup
The Three Lions have a number of experienced penalty takers. The last time England were involved in a shootout was at Euro 2024.
When it comes to penalty shootouts, you could say England have had a chequered history in resolving games from 12 yards - and that’s being kind. The men’s senior side have been involved in nine shootouts in major tournaments and won just two...
The last time England were involved in a shootout was at Euro 2024. The quarter final against Switzerland ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided from the spot. All of England’s five takers kept their cool to comfortably convert in a rare display of ice-cold finishing. While England’s record isn’t great, it only takes one player to be overcome by nerves for it all to go pear-shaped.
Kane assigned penalty duties
Like most teams, England do have a couple of players who are assigned to step up if a penalty is awarded during the course of a match. Harry Kane is the designated spot-kick taker - he has taken a total of 28 penalties for the senior side with just four failing to end up in the back of the net.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Kane blazed his spot-kick over the bar in the quarter final against France. Two years earlier, his effort against Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final was blocked by Kasper Schmeichel, although he recovered to tuck in the rebound. His strike rate for club and country is around 85 percent.
If Kane is not on the pitch, or for one reason or another is unable to take a penalty, Thomas Tuchel has other reliable options. Barcelona new boy Anthony Gordon was the last England player to score from the spot, confidently finishing inside the top corner in the recent warm-up game against Costa Rica after Kane had been subbed.
Other spot-kick specialists include Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham. Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka are also able to step up when required.
And Cole Palmer is an excellent penalty taker, as he has shown with Chelsea although he was left out of the World Cup to the surprise of many.
England’s grim penalty shootout record at the World Cup
Tuchel could end up ruing not bringing Palmer along if England find themselves facing a shootout. The Three Lions have lost three shootouts at the World Cup: against West Germany in the semi-finals at Italia 90, France 98, against Argentina in the Round of 16 at France 98 and against Portugal in the quarter finals at Germany 06. The only game they won on penalties was against Colombia at Russia 2018.
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