World Cup Records That Could be Broken in 2026 As Messi, Mbappe And Ronaldo Chase More History

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, excitement continues to build for what will be the biggest edition of the tournament yet, featuring 48 teams across North America. With an expanded format and more games than ever, several long-standing records are expected to fall.

One of the most certain to be broken is the record for the most goals in a single World Cup. Qatar 2022 produced 172 goals from 64 matches, but with 104 games scheduled for 2026, that number will almost certainly rise. Even if the tournament averages the fewest goals per game in history, it would still surpass the 2022 total by more than 50. However, surpassing the goal frenzy of the 1954 tournament remains unlikely, as that year saw Hungary score an astonishing 27 goals and multiple matches ending in goal-fests.

Disciplinary records could also change. The 2006 World Cup in Germany saw 28 red cards, a record that might fall due to the increase in fixtures. Similarly, that same tournament’s 345 yellow cards could easily be topped, as the card-per-game ratio required is now much lower.

When it comes to individual achievements, Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals may finally be under threat. Lionel Messi sits just three behind, while Kylian Mbappe, already on 12 goals at just 27 years old, looks poised to challenge that mark. Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane, each with eight, could also improve their national records.

Ronaldo already holds the distinction of scoring in five World Cups and could extend that run in 2026. Messi, meanwhile, has scored in four tournaments and could match Ronaldo if he finds the net. Interestingly, no player has ever won two Golden Boots at the men’s World Cup — something both Mbappe and Kane have the chance to achieve.

On the team front, France could reach a third consecutive final, matching Brazil and West Germany, while Argentina aim to become the first nation in over 60 years to retain the title. Brazil, the only team to play in every World Cup, will continue to extend that record in 2026.

Messi is also likely to add to his record 26 World Cup appearances, though Ronaldo remains close behind with 22. Both veterans could still break age-related milestones: Ronaldo could become the oldest player to score in a knockout game, while Messi is already the oldest scorer in a World Cup final.

Finally, the expanded tournament may also see a few one-sided matches, potentially challenging the record for biggest winning margin — currently held by Hungary’s 10–1 win over El Salvador in 1982. With new and lower-ranked teams like Jordan, Uzbekistan, and New Zealand among the qualifiers, early mismatches may be inevitable.

All signs point to the 2026 World Cup not just being historic in size, but also in the number of records rewritten.