The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially kicked off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 48 teams set to play 104 matches.
While history has already been made by the number of host nations, teams, and matches expected to be played, other long-standing football records are expected to be broken.
The 2026 World Cup edition will feature a record number of players and teams, as well as a longer run, increasing the chances of making history.
World Cup Records Set to be Broken in FIFA World Cup 2026
All-Time World Cup Goals Record by a Player, 16
Becoming the highest-scoring player in World Cup history is one of the most prestigious individual achievements in football.
Former German forward Miroslav Klose set a record of 16 goals across four tournaments in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, scoring at least four in each edition.
Klose broke the Brazilian Ronaldo Nazario’s record of 15 goals that he set in 2006 during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, scoring against the host nation in the famous 7–1 thrashing in the semi-final.
This record is at risk in the 2026 edition, with players like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé having 13 and 12 goals, respectively, and are likely to produce good numbers.
Messi is still scoring goals at 38 years of age and will need only four goals, which is very likely.
France’s Kylian Mbappé is the biggest threat to this, needing only seven goals.
He scored 12 goals in just 2 World Cup tournaments, 2018 and 2022.
Most World Cup Appearances Record by a Player, 26
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, currently holds the record for most appearances, having played 26 matches.
Messi’s first World Cup appearance was in the 2006 edition in Germany at the age of 18 years.
He broke the record set by Germany’s Lothar Matthäus, 25, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup edition, which had stood for 24 years.
Messi is on the brink of breaking his own record, which will likely stand for many years to come, especially with the expanded format, which could boost his appearance.
Most World Cup Wins by a Player, 17
Miroslav Josef Klose also holds a record for most wins by a player in the World Cup tournament.
He was consistent during the Germany’s campaigns between 2002 and 2014 when he retired.
This record has stood for 12 years, and Messi is likely to break it with Argentina ahead of the 2026 edition.
Messi has 15 World Cup victories and will need only 3 to break the record.
First player to play in six World Cups
No player in football history has appeared in 6 different World Cup editions.
The current record is 5, shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The two have played in all World Cup editions from their debut in 2006 and are on the brink of making their appearance in the 2026 edition.
Messi (38) and Ronaldo (41) are going to break their own record at the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Also Read: Countries With the Most FIFA World Cup Titles in The History of Football
Most Goals in a Single World Cup, 13
This record has stood since 1958, set by the former French national Just Fontaine in the 1958 tournament in Sweden, in just 6 matches.
68 years later, the opportunity comes in an expanded format with more games, giving players a good chance to go for this record.
Only Ronaldo Nazario came close with 8 in the 2002 World Cup.
Also Read: How To Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kenya: Full TV And Streaming Guide
New Era for World Cup
With an expanded format and more games, the 2026 edition is bound to hold great historical significance.
No World Cup has ever been hosted by 3 different countries and 48 different teams.
Everything about this edition is historical, from visa drama to statistical records that are about to be made.
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PHOTO | Leo Messi | FB
