US National Team Preparations for Penalty Drama in the World Cup: Confidence, Resilience and Strategy
July 1, 2026 · Global
The US national team is preparing for a possible penalty drama at the 2026 World Cup with a strategic approach from coach Mauricio Pochettino, who promised a plan and calm for his players.
There is no more thrilling moment in football than a penalty shootout. However, the US National Team (USMNT) has never experienced a penalty shootout in their World Cup history. Coach Mauricio Pochettino revealed that his team had prepared a plan if this situation arose at the 2026 World Cup.
In a recent interview, Pochettino revealed that his coaching staff has been working with an outside firm to analyze penalty kicks and set-piece situations. He emphasized the importance of mental and technical preparation. “We believe that we can give players the tools to deal with these situations,” he said.
Meanwhile, midfielder Christian Pulisic stressed how difficult it is to take penalties. “It's a very difficult thing to do, and it takes a lot of courage,” he said. Pulisic is a competent penalty taker, with a record of never missing in his seven attempts with the national team.
The USMNT is preparing seriously ahead of the final group stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many players watched the penalty shootout take place on Monday as part of their preparations.
In the history of the World Cup, the US National Team has never been in a penalty shootout situation, so their experience in this tournament has been largely devoid of important moments related to penalties. However, Pochettino is determined to change this with a structured and calm approach.
On the other hand, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was criticized for his lack of preparation as his team was knocked out on penalties, with several players refusing to take kicks. This is different from Pochettino's more planned approach.
Pochettino emphasized that the decision regarding the order of penalty takers will remain in the hands of the coaching staff, not based on the player's confidence at the time. With regular training, the USMNT hopes to minimize the pressure if they have to face this situation at the World Cup.
The team has a wide selection of skilled penalty takers, such as Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi, who has not missed a penalty since leaving MLS. Meanwhile, defender Chris Richards also shared his casual views on the possibility of taking a penalty.
Overall, the US National Team is preparing for the challenges that may arise at the 2026 World Cup, with the hope that they can handle the pressure that comes with a penalty shootout if that situation occurs.