The 2026 FIFA World Cup could produce several landmark records, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Deschamps among the leading figures chasing history at the expanded tournament.
The all-time World Cup scoring record stands firmly in the sights of Messi and Mbappe. Germany striker Miroslav Klose leads the list with 16 goals. Messi enters the tournament with 13 World Cup goals, while Mbappe has already scored 12 across the 2018 and 2022 editions. The expanded format offers both players extra opportunities to close the gap.
The Golden Boot race could also produce a first. No player has ever finished as the tournament’s top scorer at two separate World Cups. Mbappe, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, will try to change that. Harry Kane, who won the award in 2018, and James Rodriguez, who topped the scoring charts in 2014, also remain in contention.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could become the first players to appear at six World Cup tournaments. All three made their World Cup debuts in 2006 and remain part of their national team squads.
The tournament will also welcome a new record-holder among participating nations. Curaçao will become the smallest country by both population and area to compete at a FIFA World Cup, surpassing the previous mark set by Iceland.
On the touchline, several managers could break long-standing records. England boss Thomas Tuchel, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and Portugal manager Roberto Martínez are all attempting to become the first foreign-born coach to win the World Cup with another nation.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps starts the tournament with 14 World Cup victories as a coach. He trails Germany’s Helmut Schön, who holds the record with 16 wins.
Another coaching milestone could arrive through Dick Advocaat. At 78, the Dutchman is set to become the oldest manager ever to lead a team at the World Cup, surpassing the record held by Otto Rehhagel.
With more teams and more matches than any previous edition, the 2026 World Cup offers a bigger stage than ever for football history to change.
