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2026 FIFA World Cup sets new records for players, teams, and coaches
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen numerous historic milestones, with players, teams, and coaches setting new records, some recognized by Guinness World Records. 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 all-time leading World Cup scorer with 18 goals, while Harry Kane became England鈥檚 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鈥檚 first-ever World Cup goal. A record nine African teams progressed to the knockout stage. Cabo Verde, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, DR Congo, C么te d鈥橧voire, 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 Sim贸n set a new Guinness World Record for the longest World Cup clean-sheet streak, going 519 minutes without conceding a
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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