9 records that might be broken at the 2026 World Cup
With the World Cup now in full swing, we’ve been checking out some of the long-standing records that might be broken this summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
On Thursday night, South Africa made World Cup history in their 2-0 loss to Mexico. Hugo Broos’ team became the first in 20 years to get two red cards in one match, after referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio sent off Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane early on. It was an exciting start at the Estadio Azteca, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling tournament in North America.
With 104 games scheduled across this 48-team competition, the current record for most goals scored in a World Cup—172—is very likely to be beaten in the coming weeks.
Famous players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have a great chance to smash some records this summer, along with other experienced stars like Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Here are some records to watch—will they be broken soon?
– Miroslav Klose from Germany holds the record for most World Cup goals with 16. Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi aren’t far behind, with 12 and 13 goals.
– If Cristiano Ronaldo scores, he’ll extend his record for scoring in the most World Cups. He’s found the net in all five tournaments he’s played (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022).
– Klose also has the most World Cup wins as a player, with 17. Messi is close behind with 16.
– Pepe is the oldest World Cup goalscorer at 39 years, 283 days, but that record might fall in 2026. Ronaldo, now 41, along with Edin Dzeko and Luka Modric, could take it.
– Talking about age, the record for most players over 40 in a single World Cup is one—but that will change this summer. There are eight players over 40, including Ronaldo, Dzeko, Modric, Ochoa, Fernando Muslera, Manuel Neuer, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha.
– No one has ever won the Golden Boot twice, but Kylian Mbappe, James Rodríguez, and Harry Kane all have a chance to do it.
– Mbappe is known for stepping up in big moments and could become the first player to score in three different World Cup finals after goals in 2018 and 2022.
– If England or Uruguay win the 2026 World Cup, they’ll break Italy’s record of 44 years between titles.
For those wondering, 72 matches will be played from June 11 to June 27, so expect at least one of these records to be broken during that time.
Here’s the full schedule of games!