How USMNT prepare for World Cup penalty drama: confidence, composure and consultants

<p>The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history. If it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/27/usa-bracket-world-cup-path-to-final">Who would the US need to beat to win the World Cup?</a></p></li></ul><p>There is perhaps nothing more polarizing in the game of football than a penalty shootout. But however you feel about them, you can’t deny the drama involved, which was on full display in Monday’s last-32 matches.</p><p>Germany were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/29/germany-v-paraguay-world-cup-2026-last-32-live">the first at this World Cup</a> to fall victim to the cruel nature of the procedure, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the spot and handing a shock victory to Paraguay. The Netherlands, who have plenty of familiarity with the devastation of losing in a shootout, came next, putting in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/30/netherlands-morocco-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report">a poor effort</a> against Morocco, who took full advantage.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/30/usmnt-penalty-kicks-mauricio-pochettino-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>