The US men’s national team has not previously had a World Cup match decided by penalty kicks, but it is preparing for the possibility ahead of the 2026 tournament. Both outlets report that the team’s approach centers on confidence and composure if a game reaches a shootout. Mauricio Pochettino, identified as the relevant coach figure, says the US would have a plan in place should a penalty shootout occur in 2026.
The discussion is set against the backdrop of recent World Cup drama involving penalties. One source describes examples from the tournament’s knockout stage, including Germany’s earlier elimination after multiple players miss penalties, and the Netherlands’ loss following a poor penalty performance against Morocco. While the US has no past World Cup shootout experience to draw on, the reporting suggests the team is looking to reduce uncertainty through structured preparation.
Overall, the coverage focuses on how the USMNT would manage the specific psychological and tactical demands of penalty kicks, rather than on any claim that a shootout is likely in 2026.
