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DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP

Who are England’s most dependable penalty takers? Here’s a full ranking of every player in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad as the Three Lions prepare for possible shootout tension.

The knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup has arrived, bringing with it the familiar nerves of penalty shootouts. Historically, England’s record from the spot has been poor — winning only four of 11 shootouts in major tournaments. However, recent years have shown progress, with three of those victories coming in their last four attempts.

What’s behind this improvement? A significant factor is the higher quality and number of confident penalty-takers within England’s current squad. Looking through Tuchel’s 26-man team, several names stand out as reliable choices if matches are decided from 12 yards — and given the trend, that’s highly possible.

In the 2022 World Cup, five matches were settled via shootouts — the most in the tournament’s history — and with the introduction of a round of 32 in 2026, that figure could easily rise.

So, if England face such pressure, which players can Thomas Tuchel trust from the spot? Who’s most likely to convert? And who might have fans peeking through their fingers as they take aim?

Here’s a full ranking of all 26 players in England’s World Cup squad based on their penalty reliability...

Bet the house

Ivan Toney, once hailed by his former Brentford manager Thomas Frank as the world’s best penalty-taker — a view Frank has repeated as a pundit during this World Cup — boasts an exceptional record from the spot. While not perfect, his statistics speak volumes. Toney has converted 57 of 61 penalties in open play, and seven of nine shootout attempts. His only two misses were his first-ever and his latest — the latter coming after already scoring one earlier in the same match. If fit and available, Toney will surely be one of Tuchel’s first choices for any shootout.

Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham have also shown composure under pressure, each missing just once in their senior careers and both maintaining perfect shootout records. Gordon’s combined record stands at 17 out of 18, while Bellingham has scored seven out of eight, including a successful attempt in England’s Euro 2024 shootout triumph over Switzerland. Both have proven they can handle the immense pressure of knockout football.

Very confident

It feels almost harsh not to place Harry Kane in the top tier, but the England skipper has had a few recent setbacks from the spot. In the opening win over Croatia at this tournament, he needed a retake to find the net, and fans still recall his painful miss in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France. Yet, Kane’s overall record remains outstanding — five out of five in shootouts and 106 from 120 in regular play.

Other consistent performers include Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, who both endured heartbreak when missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final against Italy. Since then, however, Saka has scored all five of his shootout attempts and 14 of 16 in open play, while Rashford has converted 18 of 20. They’ve clearly learned from past adversity.

Reece James and Elliot Anderson, though not regular penalty takers, have flawless records when called upon. Each has successfully converted their only professional spot-kick and both boast 100% records in shootouts, scoring from four out of four. Should the opportunity arise, expect them to deliver calmly.

Surprise if they miss

Eberechi Eze’s miss in Arsenal’s Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain this June might make some fans nervous, but he remains confident in his ability. That was his first shootout miss in a record of nine scored from 12 overall. It would be unexpected to see him falter again.

Declan Rice, one of Arsenal’s scorers in that same final, has grown in confidence from the spot. Although he managed only one goal from three penalties during his West Ham days, he’s been perfect in four shootouts for Arsenal. His composure under pressure has clearly improved.

Noni Madueke hasn’t yet faced a shootout in his career, but he has converted three of four penalties in open play — a promising sign. Similarly, Kobbie Mainoo has demonstrated coolness, scoring in three shootouts (two with Manchester United’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy and one with the senior side in the League Cup loss to Grimsby Town). He also netted in pre-season against Fiorentina, further proving his reliability from 12 yards.

Far from certain

Morgan Rogers, despite his attacking flair, doesn’t have much penalty experience. He did score for England in a friendly against Austria two years ago but missed a Europa League penalty for Bologna last season and has never taken one in a shootout. His performance in a high-pressure World Cup shootout would be unpredictable.

Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, for all his leadership qualities, has struggled from the spot. He was substituted before the Euro 2020 final shootout after missing in the 2018 World Cup against Colombia and again in a pre-Euro 2020 friendly with Romania. Though he recently scored for Ajax in a Europa League tie against Panathinaikos, his career tally stands at two converted from five attempts — not the strongest record.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, usually the one saving penalties, does have one memorable moment as a taker — his emphatic strike in the Nations League shootout win over Switzerland in 2019. With limited experience, he’s an unpredictable choice, though that goal remains iconic in England folklore.

Watching between fingers

Here we reach the players with minimal penalty-taking experience. Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, and John Stones have each taken just one professional penalty — all successful. Stones even pulled off a cheeky Panenka during a pre-season friendly for Everton against Juventus. Trevoh Chalobah, added late to the squad after Tino Livramento’s injury, has taken two in his career — missing the first while at Ipswich Town in 2018 and scoring in Chelsea’s 2022 Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool. Marc Guehi has never taken a professional penalty, though he did score in Chelsea’s UEFA Youth League campaign in 2019.

As defenders, their limited experience isn’t surprising, but each has shown glimpses of quality under pressure. Should they be called upon, it will come down to nerve and focus in the moment.

Almost no hope

Finally, five players in the squad have never taken a penalty in their professional careers. Unsurprisingly, two of them are goalkeepers — Dean Henderson and James Trafford, with the latter yet to feature in a senior shootout.

Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, and Dan Burn round out this group. If England’s fate depends on them stepping up in a shootout, it would be unfamiliar territory — a true test of mental strength and composure under the most intense pressure.