Long-range goals on the rise at 2026 World Cup, says Klinsmann

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is seeing a notable increase in goals scored from outside the penalty area, according to former Germany striker and coach Jurgen Klinsmann. He attributes this trend to teams defending more deeply, which forces attackers to take shots from long range rather than penetrating the box. The next World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature 48 teams for the first time. The expanded tournament has already sparked discussions about tactics and playing styles. Klinsmann, who won the World Cup as a player in 1990 and later coached Germany and the United States, noted that when opponents pack the defense, forwards are left with little space inside the area. "You see more and more shots from distance because the box is crowded," he said. "Players are adapting by striking from outside, and many of those attempts are finding the net." This shift in scoring patterns could influence how teams prepare, with goalkeepers and defenders needing to guard against long-range efforts. While early matches in the qualifying stages have shown this trend, it remains to be seen if it will continue through the final tournament. The 2026 World Cup promises to be a showcase of evolving football tactics, and the increase in spectacular long-range goals is adding excitement for fans worldwide.