Penalty Shootout Rules Explained: How Ties Are Decided at the 2026 World Cup

When a knockout tie is level, the penalty shootout (in the Laws, “kicks from the penalty mark”) is the final way to decide a winner. It is used only after extra time has failed to separate the sides, and although it looks simple, it follows a strict procedure. This guide breaks down the logic according to IFAB’s Laws of the Game, Law 10, so you can read every kick at the 2026 World Cup.

When a shootout is used

A shootout happens only when the competition requires a winner and the match is still level after extra time. It is a procedure outside the match itself, used to determine who advances, so goals scored in a shootout do not count towards the final scoreline; they only decide who progresses. Group-stage matches are ranked by points and goal difference and are not settled by a shootout.

The basic procedure: five kicks each, alternating

The referee tosses a coin to choose the goal, then tosses again to decide which team kicks first; the team that wins the second toss may choose to go first or second. The teams then alternate, one kick each, for five kicks per side. If one team’s lead can no longer be caught, the shootout ends early — there is no need to complete all five rounds.

Who can take a kick: equal numbers

Only players on the field of play at the final whistle, and who are eligible, may take part. If the teams have unequal numbers (for example after a sending-off), the team with more players must reduce to match. Every eligible player must take a kick before any player can take a second. The goalkeeper is also allowed to take a kick.

Sudden death and common myths

If the teams are level after five kicks each, the shootout goes to sudden death: each side takes one kick per round until one scores and the other misses. A common myth is that the same first five takers are fixed — in fact, a team may change the order of its kickers in subsequent rounds. An injured goalkeeper may also be replaced if the team has not used all its substitutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do shootout goals count in the final score?
No. They only decide which team advances; the official result still stands as it was at the end of extra time.

Can a goalkeeper take a penalty in the shootout?
Yes. As long as they are eligible and on the pitch, a goalkeeper may take a kick like any other player.

Why does a team sometimes win before all five kicks?
When a lead can no longer be caught, the shootout ends early to avoid unnecessary kicks.

Explore more rules and storylines in our World Cup section, and find the full schedule at fixtures and matchups.