There are several FIFA World Cup records that could be broken this year. For those unaware, the competition will introduce a historic new format with 48 teams and 104 matches. This makes it the biggest tournament in the competition’s history. Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the expanded tournament has a lot of anticipation surrounding it.
From legendary players chasing milestones to tournament records likely to fall because of the increased number of matches, here are some key records to watch.
FIFA World Cup records likely to get broken in 2026
All-Time FIFA World Cup Top Scorer
The current record is held by Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals across four tournaments for Germany. However, two modern stars could challenge that mark in 2026. Lionel Messi currently has 13 World Cup goals, while Kylian Mbappé has 12, despite playing in fewer tournaments. If either player enjoys another prolific World Cup campaign, Klose’s long-standing scoring record could finally be surpassed.
📊 Most goal contributions in World Cup history :
🥇 Messi – 21 G/A
🥈 Pele – 20 G/A
🥉 Klose – 19 G/A
🥉 Ronaldo – 19 G/AMessi dominating the most prestigious tournament in the World 🐐 pic.twitter.com/aFM9gcjC47
— ACE (fan) (@FCB_ACEE) February 21, 2024
Most FIFA World Cup Tournaments Played
The current record for most World Cup participations is five tournaments, jointly held by players including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Guillermo Ochoa, Rafael Márquez, and Lothar Matthäus. If Messi or Ronaldo are selected for their national teams in 2026, they would become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, setting a new record for longevity at the highest level of international football.
Most World Cup Match Appearances
Lionel Messi currently holds the record for most matches played in World Cup history with 26 appearances, achieved during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If he participates in 2026 and Argentina progresses beyond the group stage, Messi could extend this record even further, making it significantly harder for future players to catch.
Most Goals Scored in a Single Tournament
The record for total goals scored in one World Cup is 172 goals, set during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With the 2026 edition expanding from 64 matches to 104 matches, there will be far more opportunities for teams to score, making it highly likely that the overall tournament scoring record will be broken.
Most Wins by a Manager
The current FIFA World Cup record for most managerial wins is within reach for Didier Deschamps, head coach of the France national football team. Deschamps currently has 14 World Cup victories as a manager. If France performs strongly in 2026 and secures at least three more wins, he could become the most successful manager in terms of match victories in World Cup history.
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Highest Total Attendance
The current FIFA World Cup record for highest attendance is held by the 1994 edition of the tournament in the United States. However, the 2026 competition will feature more matches and multiple large stadiums across North America, making it very possible that the attendance record will finally be surpassed.
Also Read: Will Cristiano Ronaldo Miss The 2026 FIFA World Cup Because Of Injury?
