World Cup
World Cup Best and Worst Penalty Shootout Records
The 2022 World Cup gave penalty shootouts a bigger role than ever before, with five ties decided from the spot, including the final and William Hill News have looked at the nations with the best (and worst) record in penalties at the Finals.
With a 48-team tournament and a full round of 32 on the way in 2026, there is even more room for an upset, particularly given the quality of the dark horses at the World Cup. For now, here are the records that matter.
Best Record In Penalties: Argentina
Argentina sit top of the all-time World Cup shootout table with six wins from seven attempts. Their run stretches back to 1990, when they beat Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semi-finals in a shootout before losing the final via a single penalty to West Germany.
They then beat England in 1998 and the Netherlands in the 2014 semi-finals. Lionel Scaloni’s side added two more shootout wins in Qatar.
Emiliano Martínez saved two penalties as Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-3 in the quarter-finals, then helped seal the title with a 4-2 win over France in the final. Their only World Cup shootout loss remains Germany in the 2006 quarter-finals.
Perfect Records: Germany and Croatia
Germany still own a perfect World Cup shootout record, winning all four of their attempts. That includes wins over France in 1982, Mexico in 1986, England in 1990, and Argentina in 2006.
Croatia matched Germany’s 100% record in 2022, and did it in style. They beat Japan 3-1 on penalties in the round of 16 after Dominik Livaković made three saves, then edged Brazil 4-2 in the quarter-finals.
Add in their shootout wins over Denmark in 2018 and Russia in 2018, and Croatia are now 4-0 in World Cup shootouts.
Worst Records: Spain, England And Italy
Spain now have the worst World Cup shootout record outright, with one win and four losses. Their latest defeat came against Morocco in the 2022 round of 16, when Pablo Sarabia hit the post and Yassine Bounou stopped all three Spanish attempts in a 3-0 shootout win.
England’s record is better than Spain’s but still ugly on paper, with one win and three losses. Shootout losses have stopped England’s road to glory against West Germany in 1990, Argentina in 1998, and Portugal in 2006.
Meanwhile, Italy have not taken a World Cup shootout since beating France in the 2006 final.
Why 2026 Could Change The Picture
A bigger World Cup means more knockout matches and more chances to go to penalties. That keeps shootout records relevant, especially for sides with long memories and short fuses.
If you want to back a side that handles the pressure, keep an eye on the latest 2026 World Cup outright odds and any penalty specials available with William Hill.
World Cup Penalty Shootout FAQs:
Who has the worst penalty shootout record at the World Cup?
Spain now hold that unwanted record outright with one win and four defeats.
