Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
Home
»
World Cup 2026
»
WHO COULD BREAK RECORDS AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a historic edition: more teams, more matches, and more opportunities to break records. With legends like Messi perhaps in his last World Cup, youngsters like Mbappé seeking to establish their legacy, and national teams arriving hungry for glory, everything is set for records to fall. In this article, we show you who has a real chance of making history, which records are in their sights, and what surprises could be in store. If you live and breathe football and love seeing numbers fly through the air, this article is for you.
Records that could be broken in 2026
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the biggest in history: 48 teams, more matches, and more playing time. This opens the door for several records to fall. And there are already names being mentioned as strong contenders.
Goalscorers on the prowl
One of the most coveted records is that of all-time top scorer in World Cups, currently held by Miroslav Klose with 16 goals. The main candidate to break it is Kylian Mbappé, who already has 12 World Cup goals (4 in Russia 2018 and 8 in Qatar 2022). If France goes far again and he maintains his average, he could surpass it. And if Messi decides to play his sixth World Cup? He could break the record for most matches played, which he also holds (26). And if he scores one more goal, he will be the Argentine with the most goals in World Cups (he is currently tied with Batistuta at 10).
Another player lurking is Harry Kane, who already has 8 World Cup goals. England always goes far and Kane is their key player. With 3 or 4 more goals, he can break into the all-time top 5.
Players and teams with a chance to break records
It's not just the goalscorers who have a chance to make history. There are several individual and collective records that could fall at the 2026 World Cup. From appearances to titles, including age records, cards, and more.
Eternal veterans
If Lionel Messi goes to 2026, he will be the first player to play in six World Cups. Today he shares the record of five with Lothar Matthäus, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafa Márquez, and Gianluigi Buffon. And speaking of Cristiano: if Portugal qualifies and he is still playing, he would also reach six. Both can leave their mark… even just by being present.
Records by team
Brazil will be looking for their sixth title. No one has more than them (5).
Germany could equal Brazil's number of titles if they win the tournament (they have 4).
Argentina could also equal Brazil with a fourth title if they repeat the feat.
Mexico will try to get past the quarterfinals for the first time.
France could reach their fourth final in 5 World Cups (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022).
And watch out for teams like Morocco, Japan, or Senegal. They could become the first from their region to reach a final. Morocco already came close in 2022. Will this be the cup of ultimate surprises?
Age Records
Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (Egypt) holds the record for the oldest player to play in a World Cup (45 years old). Will anyone break it in 2026?
Pelé remains the youngest to score in a final (17 years old, 1958). But there are promising players like Lamine Yamal or Endrick who could break it.
Records are meant to be broken. And this World Cup, with its long format, offers more opportunities than ever.
Other curious records and what's to come
The World Cup isn't just about goals and titles. There are also peculiar records, unusual facts, and statistics that could change in 2026. From the host country to the playing times, everything is new. Here are some of those "not-so-well-known" records that could be broken.
Curiosities ready for history
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams and 104 matches.
There could be more than 200 goals in total, breaking the record of 172 in 2022.
It will be played in 3 countries: an absolute record for host countries.
There could be more penalties than ever, due to the increased number of matches and the more widespread use of VAR.
Players with potential records
Some names that could make history:
Jude Bellingham (England): If he plays every game and scores, he will be the youngest midfielder with the most goals in World Cups.
Jamal Musiala (Germany): He could break assist records if he maintains his current form.
Vinícius Jr. (Brazil): MVP candidate if Brazil goes far. He could break records for dribbles and fouls drawn.
And as in every World Cup, a dark horse could also emerge. In 2022 it was Gonçalo Ramos with his unexpected hat-trick. In 2026 it could be some young African, Asian, or CONCACAF player that no one sees coming.
The World Cup is the stage where legends are born. And in 2026, with so many teams, matches, and minutes played, the odds of breaking records are higher than ever.
So get ready to witness history live. Because something is sure to happen that will change the pages of football forever.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED
