How do penalty kicks work? Rules and examples from the 2026 World Cup

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.Why are penalty kicks given?A penalty kick (also called a penalty or