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WILL THERE BE ANY CURIOUS OWN GOALS AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
Own goals are those plays no one wants to experience… but everyone wants to see. Sometimes they're glaring errors, other times, simple twists of fate. The truth is, in every World Cup, there's at least one that goes viral. Will it happen at the 2026 World Cup? In this article, we analyze the history of World Cup own goals, recounting the most unusual ones, which teams and players have been the protagonists of these bloopers, and how likely it is that we'll see more moments like this in the next World Cup. Spoiler alert: it's not all bad luck… sometimes the opponent doesn't even need to take a shot.
The History of Own Goals in the World Cup
As strange as it may seem, own goals are part of the DNA of the World Cup. From the first one in 1938 to the record set in Russia 2018, own goals have left their mark… and spawned countless memes. Every edition has at least one that raises eyebrows, makes jaws clench, or elicits laughter.
How many have there been?
In total, more than 50 own goals have been scored in the history of the World Cup. But the curious fact is that Russia 2018 broke all records with 12 own goals in just one tournament. It was the highest number recorded so far, representing 7% of the total goals in that edition.
The first own goal in history was by Ernst Lörtscher (Switzerland) in 1938.
The fastest: 3 minutes, by Paraguayan Carlos Gamarra in 2006.
The most memorable: Andrés Escobar's (Colombia) in 1994, with a tragic outcome.
The most absurd: Mandzukic's in the 2018 final.
Why do they happen?
The Most Curious Own Goals of Recent World Cups
If there's one thing a World Cup isn't lacking, it's unexpected moments. And in recent tournaments, own goals have been the protagonists of plays so unusual they seemed straight out of a sketch. Below, we review the most memorable ones.
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia, 2018)
The Croatian made history by scoring the first own goal in a World Cup final. It was against France, while trying to clear a free kick. A perfect header… into the top corner of his own net. Pure irony, because he himself would later score the 4-2 goal for Croatia.
Aziz Bouhaddouz (Morocco, 2018)
He came on in the 82nd minute and by the 95th he had already headed the ball into his own net, giving Iran the victory. The stadium fell silent. Morocco, who were playing better, lost by a goal that even their opponents didn't expect.
Marcelo (Brazil, 2014)
Brazil started the World Cup at home and… own goal. Marcelo inadvertently deflected a shot from Croatia, wrong-footing Julio César. Luckily for him, Brazil came back to win. But it went down as the first goal of the tournament… and it was an own goal! South Africa 2010 also had one to remember: Daniel Agger's (Denmark) goal after an illogical rebound. South Korea 2014: Juwon defends poorly, shoots, and puts it into his own net with no pressure. USA 2022: Walker Zimmerman almost scored one, but was saved by VAR. As you can see, it doesn't matter how professional the player is. Sometimes, fate has a sense of humor… or tragedy.
Will we see own goals at the 2026 World Cup?
The short answer is: very likely yes. With 48 teams, 104 matches, and an average of 2.6 goals per game, the odds of seeing own goals increase considerably. But will they be unusual or simply common mistakes?
More matches, more opportunities
There were 3 own goals at Qatar 2022. At Russia 2018, there were 12. With the increased number of matches in 2026, we could see between 10 and 15 own goals. And with debuting or less experienced teams, nerves also play a role. New teams like Panama, Morocco, or Vietnam could make unforced errors. Defenses with less chemistry or prior experience are more prone to mistakes. New stadiums, artificial turf, or variable weather conditions also have an impact. The pressure of social media: Today, an own goal isn't just seen on TV; it goes viral on TikTok in 30 seconds. That added pressure can work against many young players, especially defenders. That's why, more than ever, coaching staffs are training defensive situations with an emphasis on stress management.
Could there be a record?
It's not far-fetched. If the number from Russia 2018 is surpassed, we would be looking at a new record for own goals in a World Cup. And with more matches and teams, it wouldn't be for lack of opportunities.
That said, beyond the blunder, every own goal counts. It can define a group, eliminate a giant, or even change history—as happened to Escobar in 1994 or Bouhaddouz in 2018. So pay attention: if you see the opposing number 9 celebrating… but it was the center-back who scored, you're not seeing things. It's football in its purest form.
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