Own Goals Become a Defining Feature of the 2026 World Cup

Rabat – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already produced plenty of memorable moments, but an unexpected trend that stood out during the opening weeks of the tournament is a sharp rise in own goals.

Just over a third of the way through the competition, seven own goals have already been scored, making this the second-highest World Cup total on record. Only the 2018 tournament in Russia, which finished with 12 own goals, saw more players accidentally put the ball into their own net.

The United States has benefited the most from the trend so far. Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal during the Americans’ opening win, while Australia’s Cameron Burgess repeated the mistake in a 2-0 defeat to the co-hosts. The United States has become the first team in men’s World Cup history to benefit from own goals in consecutive matches.

Other players to score own goals at this year’s tournament include Egypt’s Mohamed Hany, Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab, Switzerland’s Miro Muheim, and Qatar’s Mohamed Manai.

While some of the goals came from individual errors, analysts say the increase is also linked to changes in modern football tactics. Teams are attacking more quickly and frequently from wide areas, sending low crosses and cut-backs across the box. Defenders racing back toward their own goal often have little time to react, which increases the risk of accidental touches that end up in the net.

The trend is not limited to the World Cup. Data from England’s Premier League shows that own goals have become increasingly common over the past two decades, despite defenders becoming more technically skilled.

Read also: Are Hydration Breaks Killing Momentum at the World Cup as Draws Pile Up?

Another talking point at the tournament has been the growing number of draws. Several matches have ended level, which frustrated teams and fans looking for decisive results.

Some coaches and commentators have linked the rise in draws to FIFA’s mandatory hydration breaks, which it introduced because of high temperatures at several host venues. The breaks are intended to protect players’ health, but critics argue they can disrupt the flow of matches and reduce momentum, especially for teams that are dominating. 

Others believe the stoppages give coaches extra opportunities to make tactical adjustments, which effectively create additional mini-halftimes during games. Broadcasters have also used the breaks for commercial slots.