World Cup 2026: What are the extra-time and penalty shootout rules?

Two World Cup twenty twenty-six penalty shootouts have already captured attention—Morocco versus Netherlands and Paraguay versus Germany both ended in sudden-death kicks. According to Al Jazeera, here's how the penalty rules work. Each team takes five shots, alternating possession. If tied after five rounds, the match enters sudden-death overtime where the next goal wins. The kicking order is set before the match to prevent tactical manipulation. While the mechanics are straightforward, the pressure transforms each kick into a career-defining moment. Penalties remain one of soccer's most unpredictable dramas.

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