2026 FIFA World Cup sets new records for players, teams, and coaches

The tournament became the biggest in World Cup history, drawing 4.64 million fans across 72 matches in the group stage. Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches and the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals. At 38 years, 357 days, Messi also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals and the only player to score in six World Cup editions. Kylian Mbappe became France and Europe’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 18 goals, while Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals. Ismael Saibari became the first African player to score in three consecutive World Cup matches, and Kevin Pina scored Cabo Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal.

A record nine African teams progressed to the knockout stage. Cabo Verde, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time. Dick Advocaat became the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78 years, 271 days, and Hugo Broos became the oldest coach to win a World Cup match at 74 years, 75 days.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new Guinness World Record for the longest World Cup clean-sheet streak, going 519 minutes without conceding a