WORLD CUP
2026

Heading means meeting the ball with your forehead instead of your foot. When a cross or long pass flies through the air, players jump and strike the ball with the front of their head to pass, shoot, or clear it. It takes real courage because the ball moves fast and other players jump beside you. It also takes timing: you must watch the flight, judge the bounce, and jump at exactly the right moment. World Cup goals from headers are among the most thrilling moments in football. Defenders use headers to boot danger away. Strikers use them to smash the ball into the net. Learning to head safely and correctly is one of the most important aerial skills in the game.