Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji has announced that he will no longer take penalty kicks for his national team after another disappointing miss from the spot during the FIFA World Cup.
The experienced centre back reached his decision following Switzerland’s dramatic Round of 16 victory over Colombia, a match that ended goalless after extra time before the Swiss secured a 4-3 triumph in the penalty shootout. Although Switzerland celebrated qualification for the quarterfinals, Akanji endured another frustrating moment after sending his penalty over the crossbar.
Despite his miss, Switzerland recovered impressively. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a crucial save before Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty, ensuring Murat Yakin’s side advanced to the last eight for the first time in more than seven decades.
Speaking after the match, Akanji admitted he had informed head coach Murat Yakin that he no longer wished to be included among Switzerland’s designated penalty takers.
The 31-year-old described his latest attempt as disappointing and revealed that a last second change of mind contributed to the miss. Instead of sticking with his original plan, he altered his decision during the run-up, lost his footing slightly and watched the ball sail well over the crossbar.
The miss was particularly painful because it continued a difficult personal record for the defender in major international tournaments.
Akanji also failed to convert penalties during Switzerland’s quarterfinal shootout defeats at UEFA Euro 2020 against Spain and Euro 2024 against England. While those misses contributed to elimination on both occasions, this time his teammates ensured the mistake did not prove costly by completing a successful comeback in the shootout.
Coach Murat Yakin praised Akanji for accepting responsibility despite the setback and made it clear that one missed penalty would not overshadow the defender’s outstanding contribution throughout the tournament.
Yakin highlighted Akanji’s leadership, composure and defensive excellence, describing him as one of Switzerland’s most influential performers during their World Cup campaign. The coach acknowledged that the defender had informed him of his decision to step away from future penalties and suggested the team would respect his wishes.
Beyond the penalty incident, Akanji has been one of Switzerland’s most dependable players throughout the competition.
His calmness in possession, ability to organize the back line and experience in high pressure matches have helped Switzerland establish one of the tournament’s strongest defensive records. The Inter Milan defender has consistently delivered commanding performances against some of the world’s best attacking players.
Akanji’s professional career has taken him through some of Europe’s biggest clubs. After establishing himself in Switzerland, he earned a move to the German Bundesliga before enjoying considerable success in England with Manchester City, where he won multiple major honours. His recent move to Inter Milan has further strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s elite central defenders.
Internationally, Akanji has become a cornerstone of the Swiss national team. With more than a decade of international experience, he has represented his country at FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships, regularly wearing the responsibility of leading the defence against top-class opposition.
Football experts often point out that central defenders rarely become first-choice penalty takers unless they possess exceptional composure and technical ability. Akanji’s willingness to continue accepting responsibility despite previous disappointments earned praise from teammates and coaches, even if the results ultimately did not go in his favour.
Psychologically, penalty shootouts remain among football’s greatest tests. Even legendary players have experienced heartbreaking misses on the biggest stages, and coaches frequently remind supporters that success or failure can be decided by the smallest margins.
For Switzerland, the focus now shifts toward the quarterfinals, where they face an even greater challenge against reigning world champions Argentina. Akanji is expected to remain a key figure in Yakin’s defensive plans despite stepping away from penalty responsibilities.
The Swiss squad will take confidence from their resilience against Colombia, where they overcame an early setback in the shootout to continue their impressive World Cup journey. Their disciplined defending and collective mentality have become defining characteristics of this campaign.
As for Akanji, his decision to relinquish penalty duties may remove some personal pressure while allowing him to concentrate fully on his primary role at the heart of Switzerland’s defence. His leadership, tactical awareness and consistency remain vital assets as the national team pursues one of the most memorable World Cup runs in its history.
Although one missed penalty has prompted a significant personal decision, it has not diminished Akanji’s standing within Swiss football. Instead, his honesty, accountability and determination to put the team’s interests first have further reinforced the respect he enjoys among teammates, coaches and supporters alike as Switzerland continue their quest for World Cup glory.
