The World Cup’s Worst Penalty Takers Might Be Defenders But Why Do They Still Keep Taking Them?

Defenders, specifically centre-backs, have missed penalties at an alarming rate during the 2026 World Cup. But has it always been this way? Are defenders genuinely worse penalty takers than everyone else?

The Moment That Prompted the Question

With Switzerland locked at 2-2 in their last-16 penalty shootout against Colombia and with a kick in hand, centre-back Manuel Akanji stepped forward with the chance to put his side 3-2 ahead.

He paced out a long run-up, took a few deep breaths — and then blazed his effort way over the bar.

The Inter defender joined a growing list of centre-backs to have missed penalties in shootouts at the 2026 World Cup.

Five of those six — including Akanji — didn’t even need the goalkeeper to make a save. Their attempts either struck the crossbar or went flying over it entirely.

Quite why Akanji remains on penalty duty is a curious question in itself. The former Manchester City defender has taken four penalties in major tournament shootouts across the World Cup and European Championship and has converted just one. He has now missed each of his last three.

Fortunately for Akanji, his skied spot-kick was not terminal — thanks in no small part to Sánchez, whose own effort three kicks earlier had crashed off the underside of the crossbar and stayed out.

Are Defenders Actually Good at Taking Penalties?

Unless your centre-back happens to be Sergio Ramos or Fernando Hierro — two centre-halves who were objectively excellent from the spot — it rarely feels like a reassuring sight when a defender walks up to take a penalty. The vibes are not good.

And what we have seen at this World Cup largely supports that feeling.

During shootouts at World Cup 2026, centre-backs have the lowest conversion rate of any position at the tournament — scoring just five of their 11 attempts at 45.4%.

But has it always been this way? It would be understandable if it had, in fairness. Defenders’ primary responsibility, after all, is keeping goals out rather than scoring them.

The Historical Data: World Cups and European Championships Combined

Looking at all World Cup and European Championship penalty shootouts to compare conversion rates by position tells a clear story.

Historically, defenders have converted penalties at the lowest rate of any outfield position in major international tournament shootouts. Across World Cups and European Championships combined, they have scored 110 of 160 attempts at a conversion rate of 68.8% — quite easily the lowest rate of any outfield position. Forwards lead the way, converting more than three-quarters of their penalties.

World Cup vs Euros: A Tale of Two Tournaments

Once the two tournaments are separated, a more nuanced picture emerges.

World Cup Shootouts Only

At World Cups specifically, defenders remain the weakest-performing outfield positional group with a conversion rate of 62.0%, while forwards lead the way at 73.2%. The overall World Cup shootout conversion rate sits at 68.6%.

European Championship Shootouts Only

The Euros data tells a strikingly different story. Firstly, everybody improves — overall conversion rates rise from 68.6% at World Cups to 77.0% at European Championships. That jump is significant in itself.

But perhaps more surprisingly, defenders come out as the most successful outfield positional group at the Euros, albeit by a very slim margin. They convert their spot-kicks at a 77.9% rate during Euros shootouts — fractionally ahead of forwards at 77.8%.

Why the Gap Between World Cup and Euros?

There are no doubt numerous factors behind the differences between World Cup and Euros conversion numbers — not just for defenders but across all positions.

One immediate conclusion is the idea that the World Cup represents a unique level of pressure. Penalty shootouts on football’s biggest stage are simply more nerve-racking than any other setting.

Another consideration is that the World Cup has traditionally been a larger tournament than the European Championship. A broader pool of teams may naturally introduce a wider range of penalty takers, potentially diluting overall quality compared with the more concentrated talent at the Euros.

What Should Teams Do About It?

Theories aside, what is very clear from the data is that at World Cups, defenders have struggled more than any other position when it comes to scoring in shootouts. The 2026 World Cup is emphatically following suit.

Following the recent misses from Sánchez and Akanji, it will be interesting to see whether teams rethink their taker lists — potentially asking more attack-minded players to step forward ahead of centre-backs, regardless of where those defenders sit in the natural penalty hierarchy.

Then again, there is always another option: let the goalkeeper take one.

Only one goalkeeper has ever taken a penalty in a men’s World Cup or European Championship shootout — and he scored. Against England at Euro 2004, Portugal’s Ricardo famously removed his gloves before saving from Darius Vassell, then stepped up to slot home the winning penalty. That means goalkeepers carry a flawless 100% conversion record in major international tournament shootouts.

Perhaps somebody should have mentioned that to Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

Read More: Chaos, Comebacks and Missed Penalties: Welcome to the 2026 World Cup
Also Read: How Football’s Greats Are Extending Their World Cup Careers
Related Article: Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves the World Cup With Everything Except the Trophy

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