Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, several long-standing records could be broken by some of football’s biggest stars and nations.
According to data compiled by ActionNetwork.com, the tournament could see new milestones set by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France and other leading football nations.
Here are 20 records that could fall at the 2026 World Cup.
1 Messi or Mbappe could challenge Klose’s goal record
Argentina captain Lionel Messi and France forward Kylian Mbappe could tie or surpass the World Cup goals record currently held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals. Messi has 13 World Cup goals, while Mbappe has 12.
2. Ronaldo could score in six World Cups
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo could become the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. He is already the only player to have scored in five editions.
3. Messi could extend appearance record
Messi currently holds the record for the most World Cup matches played with 26 and is expected to add to that tally in 2026.
4. Messi and Ronaldo could become six-time World Cup participants
Both players could become the first footballers to feature in six World Cup tournaments, having appeared in every edition since 2006.
5. Messi could add to his assist records
Messi has recorded assists in five different World Cups and could extend that record. He could also challenge the overall assist record depending on the counting method used.
6. Messi could increase his minutes-played record
The Argentine legend already holds the record for most minutes played at the World Cup with 2,314 minutes.
7. Messi could extend captaincy record
Messi has captained Argentina in 19 World Cup matches, more than any player in history.
8. Mbappe could make final history
The French star could become the first player to score in three separate World Cup finals after scoring in the 2018 and 2022 finals.
9. Argentina could retain the World Cup
The reigning champions could become only the third nation to win consecutive World Cup titles, after Italy and Brazil.
10. Brazil could increase its title record
Brazil remains the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles and could extend that record to six.
11. England or Uruguay could end record title droughts
If either nation wins in 2026, they would surpass Italy’s record of 44 years between World Cup titles.
12. Germany could add to second-place record
Germany already holds the record for the most runner-up finishes at the World Cup with four.
13. Germany could extend third-place record
The Germans have also finished third four times, more than any other nation.
14. France could reach a third consecutive final
France could become only the third nation to reach three straight World Cup finals after Germany and Brazil.
15. Brazil could extend appearance record
The 2026 tournament will mark Brazil’s 23rd World Cup appearance, the most by any country.
16. Brazil could increase its wins and goals records
Brazil already holds records for most matches won and most goals scored in World Cup history.
17. England’s draw record could grow
England holds the record for the most drawn matches at the World Cup with 22.
18. Germany could concede more goals than any nation
Germany already holds the record for most goals conceded at World Cups.
19. Mexico could extend loss record
Mexico has suffered more World Cup defeats than any other nation and could add to its total.
20. A host nation could finally win again
For the first time since France won the 1998 tournament on home soil, a host nation could lift the trophy. The United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 edition.
The tournament, scheduled to be the biggest in World Cup history, could therefore produce a host of new records on and off the pitch as football’s biggest stars seek to cement their places in history.
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