The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19 across North America, is set to reshape the tournament record book.
For the first time, FIFA will feature 48 teams instead of 32, increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104. With more games, players, coaches and nations will have unprecedented opportunities to challenge records that once appeared untouchable.
Here are the World Cup records most likely to fall — and a few that could face serious pressure.
Records Likely to Be Broken
1. Most World Cup Match Wins by a Manager
Current Record: Helmut Schön (West Germany) — 16 wins
Helmut Schön’s legendary run with West Germany between 1966 and 1978 produced one World Cup title, a runner-up finish and a third-place finish. His 16 tournament victories have stood for nearly five decades.
France manager Didier Deschamps enters the 2026 tournament with 14 World Cup wins from 19 matches. Having guided France to the quarterfinals in 2014, the title in 2018 and the final in 2022, Deschamps needs only three more victories to surpass Schön.
Given France’s favorable group-stage draw and status as one of the tournament favorites, this record appears highly vulnerable. Deschamps could also join Vittorio Pozzo as only the second manager to win two World Cups.
2. Most Goals Scored in a Single Tournament
Current Record: 172 goals (Qatar 2022)
This record is almost certain to fall.
The 2022 World Cup produced 172 goals across 64 matches, averaging 2.69 goals per game. With 104 matches scheduled in 2026, even a conservative scoring rate would push the total well beyond 200 goals.
If the tournament matches the low-scoring average of the 1990 World Cup (2.21 goals per game), the final tally would still reach approximately 230 goals. Replicating the 2022 scoring rate would result in nearly 280 goals.
Unless the tournament becomes dramatically more defensive, a new scoring record is virtually guaranteed.
3. Most Players Aged 40 or Older in a Single World Cup
Current Record: 1 (multiple tournaments tied)
Only seven players aged 40 or older have appeared in World Cup history, but 2026 could dramatically increase that number.
Potential participants include:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, 41)
- Manuel Neuer (Germany, 40)
- Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 40)
- Craig Gordon (Scotland, 43)
- Luka Modrić (Croatia, 40)
- Fernando Muslera (Uruguay, 40)
- Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico, 40)
If just two players aged 40-plus appear in a match, the tournament will set a new record.
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Records That Could Be Broken
4. Most Career World Cup Goals
Current Record: Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 goals
Few World Cup records carry as much prestige as the all-time scoring mark.
Klose’s 16-goal record has stood since 2014, but several active stars are within striking distance:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 13 goals
- Kylian Mbappé (France) — 12 goals
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) — 8 goals
- Harry Kane (England) — 8 goals
- Neymar (Brazil) — 8 goals
Messi and Mbappé represent the most realistic threats. Messi needs four goals to take sole possession of the record, while Mbappé needs five.
The French superstar may have the long-term advantage. At 28, Mbappé is likely to have another World Cup beyond 2026, while Messi will turn 39 during this tournament.
5. Youngest Golden Boot Winner
Current Record: Thomas Müller (Germany) — Age 20 (2010)
Thomas Müller captured the Golden Boot at age 20 after scoring five goals at the 2010 World Cup.
The strongest challenger is Spain sensation Lamine Yamal.
Still only 18, Yamal has already established himself among the world’s elite players after helping Spain win Euro 2024. If Spain makes a deep run, he could contend for both the Golden Boot and Best Young Player honors.
However, fitness remains a concern after a hamstring injury late in the club season.
Other young contenders include:
- Lennart Karl (Germany, 18)
- Endrick (Brazil, 19)
Still, Yamal enters the tournament as the most likely candidate to break Müller’s record.
6. Youngest Golden Ball Winner
Current Record: Ronaldo (Brazil) — Age 21 (1998)
When Ronaldo won the Golden Ball in 1998, he was already regarded as one of football’s brightest stars. More than 25 years later, no player younger than 21 has matched that achievement.
Since then, the award has largely been dominated by experienced veterans, including Oliver Kahn, Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modrić, Diego Forlán and Lionel Messi.
Once again, Yamal appears to be the leading challenger.
Other young stars capable of making a breakthrough include:
- Lennart Karl (Germany)
- Endrick (Brazil)
- Désiré Doué (France)
- João Neves (Portugal)
- Kobbie Mainoo (England)
- Nico Paz (Argentina)
Winning the Golden Ball typically requires a combination of individual brilliance and a deep tournament run, making this one of the more difficult records to break.
Records That May Remain Untouched
While the expanded format creates more opportunities than ever before, some World Cup marks still appear safe.
- Just Fontaine’s 13 goals in a single tournament (1958) remains one of the most daunting individual records in football.
- Miroslav Klose’s career scoring record may survive another cycle if neither Messi nor Mbappé produces an extraordinary tournament.
- Ronaldo’s Golden Ball record has stood for nearly three decades, highlighting how difficult it is for teenagers and young stars to dominate a World Cup from start to finish.
Still, with 104 matches and a deeper field than ever before, the 2026 FIFA World Cup could become the most record-breaking tournament in the competition’s history.
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