With the 2026 World Cup knockout round well underway, things are starting to heat up from the penalty spot. In total, 13 penalty kicks have been attempted in the run of play at the tournament, and two of the Round of 32 games have gone to a dramatic penalty shootout.
For fans who are new to soccer, or who might just need a little reminder, here are some of the basic rules and reasonings behind penalty kicks in the beautiful game.
A penalty kick (also called a penalty or a PK for short) is awarded to a team as a result of a transgression inside the penalty box — usually a foul, or sometimes a handball. One player takes the penalty, facing off against the opposing goalkeeper in a one-on-one scenario.
When a player is fouled elsewhere on the field, their team would receive a free kick at the spot of the foul. But since fouls or handballs in the box are typically in the run-up to an attempt on goal, the penalty kick offers a controlled solution to all violations that take place inside that ****** e.
During the World Cup and other competitive tournaments, penalties tend to be most ****** ociated with penalty shootouts, which are used to decide a winner after playing through extra time. (More on that later.)