The teams that have never lost a penalty shootout in World Cup history

Penalty shootouts represent some of the most dramatic moments in football. In a matter of minutes, they can decide championships, eliminate favorites, and create unexpected heroes.

There is a very small group of teams that boast an extraordinary statistic: they have never lost a World Cup penalty shootout.

Germany: the undisputed kings of penalties

When it comes to efficiency in penalty shootouts, no team has a reputation as strong as Germany.

Their record includes memorable victories against France in 1982, Mexico in 1986, England in 1990, and Argentina in 2006.

For decades, the Germans built an almost unbeatable image in these situations thanks to their mental strength, tactical discipline, and precision from the spot.

Germany has never lost a penalty shootout in World Cup history.

Croatia: perfect efficiency in the modern era

Few national teams have developed such a positive relationship with penalty shootouts as Croatia.

The Croatians have turned penalties into one of their greatest strengths. They defeated Romania at France 1998, overcame Denmark and Russia at Russia 2018, and beat Japan and Brazil at Qatar 2022.

What makes this even more remarkable is that several of those victories came against teams considered favorites.

Croatia maintains a perfect record in World Cup penalty shootouts and has won every one it has played.

Argentina came close to joining the group

Although Argentina owns one of the strongest penalty shootout records in World Cup history, it does not belong on this list.

La Albiceleste achieved historic victories against Yugoslavia in 1990, England in 1998, the Netherlands in 2014, and also during its path to the title at Qatar 2022.

However, Argentina lost a penalty shootout to West Germany in the semifinals of Italy 1990, preventing it from maintaining a perfect record.

Even so, it remains one of the most successful teams from the penalty spot in World Cup history.

Penalties are also part of a team's identity

Although penalty shootouts are often considered a lottery, World Cup statistics show that some teams develop a remarkable ability to handle pressure.

Factors such as psychological preparation, international experience, and the quality of penalty takers often make the difference in these situations.

That is why it is no coincidence that teams like Germany and Croatia have turned penalty shootouts into a genuine competitive advantage.

A record that will be on the line at the 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing closer, Germany and Croatia could once again find themselves facing penalty shootouts.

If that happens, both teams will be putting one of the most fascinating and difficult records in World Cup history on the line: remaining unbeaten in World Cup penalty shootouts.

In a tournament where every detail can make a difference, history shows that very few opponents want to face these teams when a match reaches its most nerve-racking moment.