The FIFA World Cup has been played since 1930, producing extraordinary moments and record-breaking performances. Here's a look at the most remarkable records in the tournament's history — records that future stars at World Cup 2026 will be aiming to break.
Goal-Scoring Records
All-time top scorer
16 goals
Miroslav Klose (Germany) — across 4 World Cups (1998–2014)
Most goals in a single tournament
13 goals
Just Fontaine (France) — 1958 World Cup in Sweden
Fastest goal in World Cup history
11 seconds
Hakan Şükür (Turkey) vs South Korea — 2002
Most goals in a single match (team)
10 – 1
Hungary vs El Salvador — 1982 World Cup in Spain
Appearance Records
Most World Cup appearances (player)
5 tournaments
Antonio Carbajal (Mexico), Lothar Matthäus (Germany), Rafael Márquez (Mexico), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Most matches played
29 matches
Lothar Matthäus (Germany) — 1982 to 1998
Most World Cup wins as coach
2 titles
Vittorio Pozzo (Italy) — 1934 and 1938. The only coach to win the World Cup twice.
Age Records
Youngest player
17 years, 41 days
Pelé (Brazil) — 1958 World Cup. He went on to score 6 goals and win the tournament.
Oldest player
43 years, 3 days
Essam El-Hadary (Egypt) — 2018 World Cup in Russia
Youngest goalscorer
17 years, 239 days
Pelé (Brazil) vs Wales — 1958. The goal that launched a legend.
Team Records
Most World Cup titles
5 titles
Brazil — 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Most consecutive wins
11 matches
Brazil (1970–1974)
Most goals scored in one tournament
27 goals
Hungary — 1954 World Cup in Switzerland (6 matches)
Longest unbeaten run
19 matches
Brazil (1958–1966)
Records at Risk in 2026
With a 7-match path to the final instead of 6, several records could fall at World Cup 2026. Kylian Mbappé, already with 12 World Cup goals at just 25, has a realistic shot at Klose's all-time record of 16. Similarly, any player appearing in their third tournament in 2026 could challenge for the most appearances record if they featured in 2018 and 2022.
The expanded 48-team format and extra matches also mean that records for total tournament goals and team statistics are likely to be rewritten entirely.