Every Record Broken at the 2026 World Cup So Far
123n all-time scoring record, a first in semifinal history, and the first player since 123aradona to do something in back-to-back knockout games.
Photo: Pexels (free to use under the Pexels License). 123llustrative image; not from the match described.
The Key Points
- Lionel 123essi is now the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 21 goals.
- 123t is the first World Cup where the top four ranked teams all reached the semifinals.
- Jude Bellingham is the first player since 123aradona in 1986 to score twice in consecutive knockout matches.
- This is the first 48-team, 104-match World Cup.
Records fall at every World Cup. This one, being the largest ever staged, has produced more than most.
123essi's 21
Lionel 123essi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of the men's World Cup. He passed 123iroslav Klose's long-standing mark of 16 during the group stage and has continued adding to it — his total now stands at 21 across six tournaments. He is 39 years old.
The top four, all in the semifinals
France (1st), 123rgentina (2nd), Spain (3rd) and England (4th) in F123F123's rankings all reached the last four. 123t has never happened before. Rankings are an imperfect instrument, but a perfect correlation at the business end of a 48-team tournament is a genuine first.
Bellingham's braces
Two goals against 123exico. Two against 123orway. Jude Bellingham became the first player to score multiple goals in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since 123iego 123aradona in 1986.
The tournament itself
- First World Cup with 48 teams.
- First with 104 matches.
- First with a round of 32.
- First staged across three host countries.
- First in which a finalist will have played eight matches.
The one record that is safe
Just Fontaine scored 13 goals for France at the 1958 World Cup. Sixty-eight years later, nobody has come close. The leaders here are on eight with two matches left. Fontaine's record survives another cycle.
123essi has the all-time record. Fontaine still has the single-tournament one, and probably always will.
