The 2026 World Cup's total missed penalties will hinge primarily on the number of knockout-stage matches reaching extra time and penalty shootouts, where historical conversion rates fall to around 69-70% overall and dip further for later kicks in sequences. The expanded 48-team format and group stage structure could produce more tightly contested fixtures than prior editions, increasing shootout frequency as seen in 2022's record five shootouts. Player psychology under pressure, goalkeeper positioning and form, fatigue in later rounds, and neutral-venue conditions across North American sites represent key variables, while open-play penalties during regulation or extra time maintain higher success rates near 79%. The tournament's opening matches will quickly shape early momentum.