2026 World Cup: Which records could still fall after Messi's new peak?
By OnzeActu · · 3 min read
The 2026 World Cup is already becoming legendary with historic records: Lionel Messi becomes the top scorer in the history of the tournament, while stars like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo continue their hunt for statistics. Other emblematic brands are within the reach of several players and selectors during this edition.
The 2026 World Cup, which has been in full swing for twelve days, continues to mark the history of world football. Lionel Messi established himself, at 38, as the top scorer in the history of the competition with 18 goals, overtaking German Miroslav Klose thanks to a double against Austria, after his hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria. The Argentine continues to push the limits: he is now the third player to have scored in six consecutive men's World Cups, joining Just Fontaine (1958) and Jairzinho (1970) in this very closed circle. Even more surprising, twelve of his eighteen goals were scored after he turned 35, as many as Pelé in fourteen matches over four editions. Messi also holds the record for the number of penalties attempted in the World Cup (excluding sessions), but also that of the number of missed penalties (three failed attempts, the last of which against Austria).
Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the Blues, is not left out. After his double against Senegal, he has 58 goals in the French jersey and is right behind Messi in the World Cup scorers' rankings with 14 goals. The record is within reach of the Frenchman. Behind him, Harry Kane, author of a double in the spectacular 4-2 against Croatia, joined Gary Lineker at the top of the English top scorers in the final phase of the World Cup with 10 goals. Kane also became the second English player to score in three different World Cups (after David Beckham) and equaled Beckham's record for caps (115).
In terms of individual distinctions, the race for the Golden Shoe promises to be thrilling between Mbappé, Kane, Messi, but also Erling Haaland, Denis Undav (Germany) and Jonathan David (Canada). Mbappé could become the first player to win this trophy twice, having excelled eight times in Qatar in 2022, while Kane received it in 2018 (six goals).
Cristiano Ronaldo also continues to write history. The Portuguese became the first player to score in five different editions in 2022, a record equaled by Messi. One more goal at this World Cup would put him alone at the top with goals in six editions. At 41 years and 132 days, he is now the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, surpassing Atiba Hutchinson (Canada), who was 39 years and 296 days in the previous edition.
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Erling Haaland quickly distinguished himself with a double against Iraq, becoming the highest Norwegian scorer in the history of the tournament in a single match, tied with Kjetil Rekdal, and could move alone at the top against Senegal.
Among other notable stories, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, at 40 years and 12 days, became the oldest player to play a first World Cup match for his nation and the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in his first finals match.
On the bench side, Didier Deschamps, the coach of the Blues, could soon equal or even surpass the record for victories for a coach in the World Cup (16 successes, held by Helmut Schön) in the event of success against Iraq, then Norway.
Finally, halfway through the group stage, the 2026 World Cup already has six red cards, a figure higher than the last two entire editions (four exclusions each time) and which can still beat the sad record of 28 expulsions established in 2006.