Sports09:41 · Jun 10

Historic World Cup: Records That Could Fall on the Pitch

Now 14Right

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

The story · English

Photo: AI-generated

World Cup 00 days : 00 hours : 00 minutes : 00 seconds to the full World Cup section >>

Historic World Cup: Records That Could Fall on the Pitch Shoham Maran Yesterday, 12:41 1 9 0

Just before the opening whistle: from the unprecedented number of teams to perhaps the final tournament for Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2026 World Cup could rewrite football history books. These are the records that could be broken

World Cup 2026 The football world is holding its breath, with just one day left until the start of the 2026 World Cup. This is not just another tournament, but an event that could change the face of the game as we know it. With the format expanded to 48 national teams and 104 matches, the history books may be rewritten. Above all hovers the big question, will the giant generation of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo close the circle with more records, or will the new generation charge to the top?

7 + Tomorrow it begins: World Cup 2026 | Credit: Shutterstock, kovop

The club of six: Messi and Ronaldo against time As soon as the tournament begins, a historic record could be broken. No footballer has ever played in six different World Cup tournaments. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could become the first to do so. Mexico national team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could also make a sixth World Cup squad appearance, but unlike Messi and Ronaldo, he did not play in matches in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.

7 + Messi and Ronaldo, the last dance | Photo: Shutterstock

For Ronaldo, there is also a chance to set another record and become the first player in history to score in six different World Cups, an achievement that could stand for many years.

The race for the goals and assists crowns The all-time scoring table is also in danger of changing. Germany’s Miroslav Klose currently leads with 16 World Cup goals, but his record is under threat.

7 + Legendary Miroslav Klose, will he lose his historic record? | Photo: Shutterstock

Lionel Messi, who has scored 13 goals in the World Cup, needs four more to overtake Klose and stand alone at the top. At the same time, Kylian Mbappe arrives at the tournament with only 12 World Cup goals, still in the prime of his career. With the strong French national team beside him, the Frenchman could not only break the record, but set a new benchmark.

Messi is also aiming for the World Cup assists record. Pele is credited with 10 assists, and the Argentine needs three more to equal or surpass him.

7 + Football legend Pele. Photo: Reuters

The biggest winner Messi’s ambitions do not end with goals and assists. If Argentina records two victories in the tournament, the Argentine captain will overtake Klose and become the player with the highest number of wins in World Cup history, with 18 victories. In addition, if Argentina wins the World Cup again, Messi could become the first captain in history to lead his team to two consecutive World Cup titles.

7 + Messi in the last World Cup triumph, will he do it again? | Photo: FIFA

A flood of goals in the new era The new World Cup format is also expected to affect the statistics. The record for goals in a single tournament, 172 goals scored at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is in real danger of being broken. The move from 64 to 104 matches is expected to produce an unprecedented number of goals. The record for goals by one team in a tournament, 27 goals set by Hungary at the 1954 World Cup, may also be put to the test.

7 + Football fans are on their way to celebrating a lot of goals at the World Cup | Photo: Shutterstock

In addition, for the first time in history, the teams that reach the final will be required to play eight matches on the way to winning the World Cup, following the addition of a round of 32.

From the sidelines to the Golden Boot History could also be written on the touchline. France national team coach Didier Deschamps could become the coach with the highest number of wins in World Cup history if he leads his team on a successful run in the tournament.

7 + France coach Didier Deschamps, will he make history? | Photo: Shutterstock

In terms of age, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo could become the oldest scorer in the World Cup knockout stages. And finally, the Golden Boot may also receive a new historic chapter. Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are the only players in the tournament who could become the first to win the World Cup scoring title in two different tournaments.

7 + Could Kylian Mbappe break another record in his career? | Photo: Euro 2024

The 2026 World Cup promises not only a battle for the most coveted trophy in world football, but also a rare opportunity to witness records being broken that could redefine the history of the game.

Group draw Group A Mexico national team, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic Group B Canada national team, Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland Group C Brazil national team, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Group D United States national team, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey Group E Germany national team, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Group F Netherlands national team, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia Group G Belgium national team, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Group H Spain national team, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Group I France national team, Senegal, Iraq, Norway Group J Argentina national team, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K Portugal national team, Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L England national team, Croatia, Ghana, Panama Group A Mexico national team, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic Group B Canada national team, Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland Group C Brazil national team, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Group D United States national team, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey Group E Germany national team, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Group F Netherlands national team, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia Group G Belgium national team, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Group H Spain national team, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Group I France national team, Senegal, Iraq, Norway Group J Argentina national team, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K Portugal national team, Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L England national team, Croatia, Ghana, Panama To the full World Cup section >>