The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be the most expansive and exciting event ever held, possibly breaking multiple records. The USA, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the competition, which is scheduled to be played by 48 teams across 104 matches. Compared to the earlier events where only 32 teams competed in 64 matches, 2026 promises much more action. There are plenty of opportunities for players, coaches, and their teams to create their own place in football history during this expanded competition. For FIFA’s biggest event to date, several long-held World Cup records seem to be at great risk.

More matches mean more possibilities for creating new history in the sport. Some records have been around for decades while other records have only been created in recent years. However, with so much happening in 2026, there is no doubt that most records will be broken during the event. Here are some major records that can go down during the World Cup.

Five Records to Watch at the FIFA World Cup 2026

Most Goals Scored in a Single World Cup

This is perhaps the record most likely to be broken. The current mark was set at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where teams scored 172 goals across 64 matches. With 104 games scheduled in 2026, there will be 40 additional opportunities to score. Even if teams produce a lower scoring rate than recent tournaments, the overall total could comfortably surpass 172 goals and potentially move beyond 200.

Most World Cup Match Wins by a Player

Germany’s Miroslav Klose currently holds the record with 17 World Cup victories. Lionel Messi is just behind on 16 wins. That puts the Argentine star within touching distance of another major milestone. If Argentina starts strongly and secures two wins during the tournament, Messi could move ahead of Klose and become the player with the most World Cup match victories in history.

All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals has stood as one of football’s greatest achievements. However, two modern stars are in contention. Messi enters the 2026 tournament with 13 World Cup goals, while France’s Kylian Mbappé has 12. The expanded format means teams reaching the final will play an extra knockout match, giving both players more chances to chase down the German legend’s tally.

First Player to Appear in Six World Cups

Only five men’s players have appeared in five World Cups: Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthäus, Rafael Márquez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In 2026, Messi and Ronaldo could create a record of their own. A single appearance would make either player the first man in history to feature in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, highlighting extraordinary longevity at the highest level.

Most World Cup Wins by a Manager

Another long-standing record belongs to former West Germany coach Helmut Schön, who recorded 16 World Cup victories as manager. The benchmark has remained untouched for nearly five decades. France coach Didier Deschamps enters the 2026 tournament with 14 wins. Two victories would see him equal Schön’s mark, while a third would give him sole ownership of a record that has stood since the 1970s.