This year's World Cup has seen an alarming number of own goals, with six scored across 28 matches, surpassing the two witnessed in Qatar 2022. The highest individual goal-scorers this year are Lionel Messi and Jonathan David with three.
As the tournament continues, North America 2026 is on track to eclipse the 12 own goals scored in Russia 2018. So, why have there been so many unforced errors this year?
A closer look at each own goal reveals a few answers. Poor body positioning, defenders facing their own goal, is a major contributor. In Switzerland's match against Qatar, Miro Muheim was marking striker Boualem Khoukhi from a Homam Ahmed cross. Muheim's body positioning set him up for failure, as he was facing his own net.
Against Canada, Qatar had already received two red cards by the time Mohammed Manai scored an own goal. Manai initially did everything right, sensing the danger from Jacob Shaffelburg's shot and darting towards his goal to make a block. However, his body positioning was askew, and he was off-balance and facing sideways, with the goal gaping to his right.
In Belgium's match against Egypt, Thomas Meunier spotted Romelu Lukaku's run and fizzed a sharp cross into the Egypt box. The striker's movement forced the defenders marking him to run back facing their own goal. Lukaku missed Meunier's cross, but the ball went in off Mohamed Hany.
Attacking passes in the corridor of uncertainty can create indecision and panic among the opposition players, leading to poor positioning and scuffed clearances. In Jordan's match against Austria, Yazan Al-Arab was marking dangerman Marko Arnautovic near the front post while defending a corner. Al-Arab mimicked Arnautovic's movement, jumping to try and reach the ball before the striker and effect a clearance. However, he completely took his eye off the ball, and the ball deflected off the back of his head into his own net.
Sometimes, no matter how perfectly you play, it's just sheer bad luck that comes your way. In Iraq's match against Norway, Aymen Hussein was caught on his heels and could only watch as Kristian Thorstvedt jumped high to try and score a header. Except he missed the ball, and it went into the net off Hussein.
The pressure of expectations at the FIFA World Cup can be overwhelming, leading to cracks in a team's defense. Defenders would do well to face away from their own goalposts and stay focused on the ball.
