Own goals trend as World Cup heads toward record

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Goals are flying in so far at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Right now, own goals are having a moment, too.

After Spain's fourth goal against Saudi Arabia came as an own goal, this tournament is well on its way to a record.

There have already been eight own goals, and the all-time record is 12.

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At this expanded tournament, with less than half the matches played so far, it seems highly likely that a new record will be set.

The United States has opened both of their matches by going up 1-0 on an opposing own goal.

They aren't all created equal, but own goals are leading the World Cup's Golden Boot leaderboard so far (yes, this is a joke, but only kind of).

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An own goal is when a defensive player knocks the ball into his own net for a goal.

To be an own goal, generally, the ball can't already be heading into the net based on a shot from the offensive team. A deflection in that situation wouldn't be an own goal.

But if the offensive team hasn't sent a shot that will end up in the net, and the defensive team hits the ball last and across the line, it's an own goal.

Why are there so many own goals?

Own goals aren't all created equal, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of explanation.

The reality is that many of these own goals come from a player getting to the end line and driving a low ball across the face of the goal. Defenders, chasing their own net, often have very few options, but they have to try to deflect the ball away. Sometimes it goes in the net.

The more often that teams are pushing the ball low into the box from the perimeter, the tougher it can be for defenses.

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