England must prepare for penalties in World Cup

In his World Cup Diary, Henry Winter reported on July 1, 2026, that England's preparations include bringing a psychologist to help the team address the challenges of penalty shootouts. Fans jokingly questioned if the psychologist could also help on the field, particularly at the right-back position, as key players like Tino Livramento, Reece James, and Jarell Quansah were unavailable for the Round of 32 tie against DR Congo.

Thomas Tuchel clarified that while the team has psychologists present, their focus is broader than just preparing for penalty situations. He referenced former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's regret about not taking a psychologist to the 2006 World Cup, which ended with a disappointing shootout defeat to Portugal.

The Football Association (FA) has established a protocol for shootouts, developed under Gareth Southgate's tenure. Southgate, during his time as a pundit, suggested the necessity of a psychologist for tournaments after England's Euro 2012 exit on penalties to Italy. Notably, with Southgate's coaching, England won three out of four penalty shootouts.

However, pressure remains high for the players, aware of the public scrutiny on those who miss penalties. As they prepared for the match against DR Congo, questions arose about the inclusion of Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both known for their success in shootouts. Tuchel outlined a plan for the order of penalty takers, which includes Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, and Elliot Anderson.

Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty in simulating match pressure, but confirmed the team was adhering to a detailed programme from the FA. This includes techniques for enhancing focus and controlled breathing during penalty kicks. Jordan Pickford noted that goalkeepers have added strategies, including reminders on water bottles regarding opponents' habits.

DR Congo, known for their proficiency in penalty situations, have won four out of six shootouts since 1998. Coach Sebastien Desabre emphasized the importance of practice, stating, "We practise penalties because we are professional. We have a lot of quality in penalties. We can switch the keepers, too."

In the backdrop, an eclectic mix of fans gathered in a Mexican bar in Atlanta, discussing the games. Should England advance past DR Congo, they would face a formidable challenge against Mexico, buoyed by high morale and organizational strength.

The discourse even extended to hydration breaks, with differing views on their impact on game flow. Winter also highlighted the successful use of The Refcam, an innovative tool advocated by the FA to enhance officiating in grassroots football and now seen at a broader level in the tournament.