Could you score at the World Cup? Many Americans think they can

Think you could score a World Cup penalty kick against a professional keeper? One in four Americans thinks they could.

That’s the findings of a survey of 2,000 people, which found 28% feeling they could convert from the penalty if the moment arose.

And with several big teams already going out at the dreaded penalties stage, it’s surprising so many feel they could hold their nerves.

Confidence in converting the pressure kick rises the younger a person is with 43% of Gen Z feeling they could beat a World Cup goalie versus 37% of millennials, a quarter of Gen X (26%) and just 12% of baby boomers.

The survey took the temperature of America's World Cup passion, with respondents polled in the opening week of the tournament. Nearly half of working soccer fans said they’ll be skipping work to watch games.

With the competition heating up and now well into the knockout rounds, World Cup fever has gripped many, even when the games take place during working hours.

Conducted by Talker Research, the survey found a quarter of workers (26%) have skipped work at least once or twice.

While a more devout one in seven (14%) said the World Cup takes total priority and have watched several games on work time throughout the tournament.

The research found early interest in the tournament was mixed. Half of the 2,000 polled (52%) were uninterested in catching any of the games.

More from this section

10 of the Most Overhyped Credit Card Features

Florida’s proposed property tax cuts rely on a population boom that has slowed dramatically

8 Destinations That Inspire Awe, According to a Luxury Travel Advisor

But a third (32%) always planned to catch games here and there or just the matches where the United States are playing.

Twelve percent said they’re trying to watch as much as they can and 4% of diehards said they’ll have watched every game in the whole tournament before the winner lifts the trophy on July 19th.

If someone does manage to watch every single World Cup game, they’ll rack up 72 group stage matches and 32 knockout games, including the final and semi-finals.

That’s 9,360 minutes of soccer or 156 hours or nearly 20 full working days— before any extra time and penalties.

And with the World Cup impact, the future for soccer in America does look bright; younger generations are more likely to have participated in watching the World Cup. Just 36% of Gen Z said they wouldn’t be watching any games, versus 64% of baby boomers.

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Jun 11, 2026 - Jun 17, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.