The penalty kick is one of the most intense moments in football. As Video Assistant Referee reshapes football, penalties will define World Cup history and create unforgettable moments. Harry Kane holds the record for the most penalties scored in FIFA World Cup history by converting six successful in‑game spot kicks for England.
Photo Credit: Jan S0L0, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Players with the Most Penalties in World Cup History
Here are the Top 5 records for the Most Penalties Scored in FIFA World Cup History, showcasing remarkable achievements throughout World Cup history.
| S. No. | Player | Country | Penalties Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Kane | England | 6 |
| 2 | Gabriel Batistuta | Argentina | 4 |
| 3 | Eusébio | Portugal | 4 |
| 4 | Rob Rensenbrink | Netherlands | 4 |
| 5 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 4 |
Harry Kane (6 Penalties Scored)
Attempts: 7
Tournaments with Penalties: 2018, 2022, 2026
Harry Kane has made his mark in World Cup history as the top penalty scorer of all time. He has successfully converted six out of seven penalties in the tournaments of 2018, 2022, and 2026. His reliability from the penalty spot was crucial for England, highlighted by his Golden Boot win in 2018.
Gabriel Batistuta (4 Penalties Scored)
Attempts: 4
Tournaments with Penalties: 1994, 1998
Gabriel Batistuta never missed a penalty in the World Cup matches. He scored on all four of his penalty attempts in 1994 and 1998, maintaining a flawless record. His strong and accurate shots helped solidify his nickname “Batigol” as Argentina’s most dependable striker.
Eusébio (4 Penalties Scored)
Attempts: 4
Tournaments with Penalties: 1966
Eusébio emerged as Portugal’s hero by successfully converting all four of his penalty kicks during the 1966 World Cup, helping his team reach the semifinals. His calm and precise finishing during the comeback against North Korea solidified his status as “The Black Panther”.
Rob Rensenbrink (4 Penalties Scored)
Attempts: 4
Tournaments with Penalties: 1978
Rob Rensenbrink was impeccable from the penalty spot in 1978, converting all four of his World Cup penalties and leading the Netherlands to the final. Although he experienced the disappointment of hitting the post during the final, his penalty record is still seen as legendary.
Cristiano Ronaldo (4 Penalties Scored)
Attempts: 5
Tournaments with Penalties: 2006, 2018, 2022, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty record in the World Cup emphasizes his remarkable longevity. He scored four penalties throughout five tournaments from 2006 to 2026. Notably, he is the only player to have scored penalties in four different World Cups.
