The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is set to become the largest edition in the tournament’s history. For the first time, 48 teams will participate, expanding the competition from its previous 32-team format. As a result, the total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104, marking a significant structural change in the tournament.
This expanded format not only broadens participation but also creates conditions in which several long-standing records could be surpassed. Attention is currently focused on five major historical benchmarks that may be rewritten during the 2026 competition.
Key Records and Current Status
| Category | Current Record Holder | Record | Potential Challenger(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals in a single World Cup | Qatar 2022 | 172 goals (64 matches) | 2026 edition (104 matches) |
| Most World Cup appearances (player) | Five players | 5 tournaments | Messi, Ronaldo, Ochoa (possible 6) |
| All-time top scorer | Miroslav Klose | 16 goals | Messi (13), Mbappé (12) |
| Most match wins (player) | Miroslav Klose | 17 wins | Messi (16) |
| Most match wins (coach) | Helmut Schön | 16 wins | Didier Deschamps (14) |
Prospect of a New Goals Record
The record for the highest number of goals in a single World Cup was set during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where 172 goals were scored across 64 matches. With 104 matches scheduled for 2026—40 more than in 2022—the overall goal tally is likely to increase. Even if the average goals per match remains relatively modest, comparable to lower-scoring tournaments such as 2010, the cumulative total would still be expected to exceed 172.
Possibility of Six World Cup Appearances
In the history of the men’s World Cup, only five players—Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthäus, Rafael Márquez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi—have participated in five separate editions. Should Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa take the field in 2026, they would become the first players to appear in six World Cups. A brief appearance in any match would be sufficient for the record to be officially recognised.
Klose’s Scoring Record Under Challenge
Miroslav Klose holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, having scored 16 goals across four tournaments. Lionel Messi currently has 13 goals, while Kylian Mbappé has 12. Consequently, Messi requires four additional goals and Mbappé five to surpass Klose’s total. Based on current figures, both players remain within reach of this milestone.
Most Match Wins by a Player
Klose also holds the record for the highest number of match victories by a player in World Cup history, with 17 wins. Lionel Messi has accumulated 16 wins to date. If Argentina secure at least two victories in the group stage of the 2026 tournament, Messi would exceed this record.
Coaching Record in Focus
The record for the most World Cup match wins by a coach is held by West Germany’s Helmut Schön, who achieved 16 victories. France’s head coach Didier Deschamps has recorded 14 wins so far. If France win two matches in 2026, Deschamps would equal the record; a third victory would see him surpass it, ending a record that has stood for nearly five decades.
Overall, the revised format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces a broader competitive landscape. This expansion increases the likelihood that several established records—both individual and managerial—may be overtaken within a single tournament cycle.