The FIFA World Cup 2026 is all set to kick off on June 11 across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The opening match will be played between Mexico and South Africa; however, fans will be excited for the matches to go for penalty shootouts. In the history of the World Cup, there have been a total of 35 penalties, out of which five of them came in 2022, which also includes the final won by Argentina against France.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 just a sleep away, let’s dive into this story and find out about the top five teams that have played the most penalty shoot-outs.
1. Argentina – 7 shootouts
Argentina tops the list of teams to have played the most penalty shootouts. The defending champions have faced seven World Cup penalty shootouts and have an incredible record to show for it, as they have won six of them. The most recent was the FIFA World Cup 2022 final against France in Qatar – the one that handed them their third World Cup title.
2. France – 5 shootouts
France ranks second on the list of teams to have played the most penalty shootouts. France will head into 2026 as back-to-back finalists, as they reached the final in both 2018 and 2022. The now Kylian Mbappe-led side has been involved in five World Cup shootouts over the years and carry the weight of two titles – won in 1998 and 2018
3. Brazil – 5 shootouts
Brazil, the most decorated nation in World Cup history, ranks third on the list of teams to have played the most number of penalty shootouts. Brazil have five titles and five shootout appearances. But their dominance has faded in recent decades as their last world cup title came in 2002, and the wait since then has been long for a fanbase that expects nothing less than glory, having also won in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
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4. Germany – 4 shootouts
Four-time winners Germany ranks fourth on the list of teams to have played the most number of penalty shootouts. They have featured in four World Cup shootouts. They claimed their titles in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014 – a record that speaks for itself. However, their recent tournaments have been more difficult.
5. Croatia – 4 shootouts
Croatia ranks fifth on the list of teams to have played the most number of penalty shootout. They have appeared in four World Cup shootouts, but a title has always remained just out of reach. Still, for a nation of their size, consistently competing at this level is a remarkable achievement in itself.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: 5 Things That Make This Opening Ceremony The Biggest Ever
