Substitutes Score 59 Goals in 2026 North American World Cup

In the 2026 North American FIFA World Cup, substitutes scored a total of 59 goals, setting a record for the most goals scored by substitutes in a single World Cup. Substitutes accounted for 19% of the total goals, despite only being on the field for 10% of the total playing time, resulting in a scoring rate nearly double that of regular players. 53% of the goals scored after the regular time of 75 minutes occurred during stoppage time by substitutes. Goals scored during stoppage time made up 11% of the total. Germany's Dennis Undav came on as a substitute and scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in less than 60 minutes of play, while Spain's Mikel Merino scored the winning goal immediately after being substituted in the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals. In modern baseball, the use of pinch hitters and relief pitchers has become a crucial indicator of a manager's skill. Since the introduction of the designated hitter rule in 2022, the use of pinch hitters has increased, with 65% of pinch-hitting substitutions being evaluated as strategically improved decisions. The role of relief pitchers has also become more significant, with relief pitchers facing 47% of plate appearances in high-stakes situations as of 2024.