Goalkeepers are under siege at this World Cup — and Austria coach Ralf Rangnick thinks the tournament ball may be part of the reason.
The 2026 World Cup produced 121 goals through its first 40 games, a rate of just over three per match and nearly 25 percent higher than the same stage of the previous tournament, according to the Associated Press.
Rangnick, the former Manchester United interim manager who was memorably criticized by Cristiano Ronaldo during his turbulent Old Trafford spell, had a blunt assessment of the ball after watching shots fly toward goal.
“This ball is as fast as a cannonball,” Rangnick said.
The Austria coach added that when players strike it cleanly, it becomes “extremely difficult to save.”
FIFA has said the official ball was designed with deep seams to create “optimal in-flight stability,” while added grip is intended to help players shoot and dribble in wet or humid conditions.
So far, attackers have been making the most of it.
There have been only three 0-0 draws through the first 40 games, while 88 different players have scored. Eight own-goals have also contributed to the rising total.
The scoring pace has put the tournament on track to blow past the 172-goal record from Qatar in 2022, though this year’s expanded format makes the comparison imperfect.
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams and 104 matches, compared with 32 teams and 64 games four years ago.
But even measured against a 64-game pace, this tournament would project to nearly 194 goals — still well above the previous record.
The ball is not the only possible explanation.
Games have been running longer because of increased stoppage time and the addition of hydration breaks, creating more opportunities for late goals. The expanded field has also created a wider talent gap in some matches.
Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo pointed to another factor, saying attacking players are more protected by officials now than they were in previous generations.
“They didn’t have this protection some 20, 30 years ago, when they were hit a lot more, when rough play was a lot more common,” Lorenzo said.
The goals have largely come from players based in Europe’s top leagues, with more than half scored by players from clubs in England, Germany and Spain.
Premier League players have led the way, while Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter Miami are among the clubs whose players have produced the most goals.
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Inter Miami’s total comes entirely from Lionel Messi, who has scored five times in two games for Argentina.
For fans, the scoring surge has helped create one of the most entertaining starts to a World Cup in recent memory.
For goalkeepers, the combination of a flying ball, longer games and relentless attacking talent has made life far more uncomfortable.