13 records broken at FIFA World Cup 2026
By Joel Masibo, July 22, 2026The 2026 FIFA World Cup produced a host of historic milestones, with stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Olise, Rodri, Eloy Room and several others etching their names into tournament history.
1. Dick Advocaat becomes the oldest coach at a World Cup
At 78 years and 271 days, Curaçao manager Dick Advocaat became the oldest coach ever to oversee a match at the FIFA World Cup. He surpassed previous record holders including Greece’s Otto Rehhagel, Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz, South Africa’s Hugo Broos and Czechia’s Miroslav Koubek.
2. England and France produce historic scoring partnerships
England’s Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane became the first team-mates to each score six goals in the same World Cup tournament. France’s Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe later matched the unprecedented achievement, something that legendary duos such as Pele and Jairzinho, Sandor Kocsis and Ferenc Puskas, as well as Rivaldo and Ronaldo never managed.
3. Didier Deschamps sets coaching appearance record
France coach Didier Deschamps established a new benchmark by taking charge of his 26th World Cup match, overtaking Germany’s Helmut Schon. He also became the most successful coach in terms of World Cup victories. Across four tournaments, Deschamps guided France to the 2014 quarter-finals, the 2018 title, the 2022 runners-up finish and fourth place in 2026.
4. Johan Manzambi becomes youngest substitute to score twice
Swiss forward Johan Manzambi entered the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina with his side in trouble before turning the contest around in spectacular fashion. At just 20 years and 247 days old, he struck twice after coming off the bench, becoming the youngest substitute ever to score a World Cup brace and eclipsing the previous record held by Paraguay’s Nelson Cuevas.
5. Mbappe becomes the tournament’s greatest scorer
Kylian Mbappe finished the World Cup with a record 22 career goals, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the competition’s all-time leading scorer. After beginning the tournament behind Lionel Messi, the French forward finished one goal ahead following a remarkable scoring run that also earned him the adidas Golden Boot.
6. Messi records most World Cup wins
Lionel Messi became the player with the highest number of victories in World Cup history, reaching 23 wins. Argentina’s seven consecutive victories during the tournament helped him move beyond Miroslav Klose’s previous mark.
7. Messi scores in nine consecutive World Cup appearances
The Argentine captain also established another record by finding the net in nine straight World Cup matches. He comfortably surpassed the previous benchmark of six consecutive scoring appearances, previously shared by Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.
8. Messi sets long-range scoring record
Messi also became the player with the most World Cup goals scored from outside the penalty area. His strikes against Algeria and Jordan increased his tally to seven, moving him ahead of Brazil legend Rivellino.
9.Michael Olise breaks assist record
France winger Michael Olise registered seven assists during the tournament, setting a new single-edition World Cup record. Five of those assists were converted by Kylian Mbappe, making them the most productive player combination in World Cup history.
10. Rodri dominates possession
Spain midfielder Rodri completed an incredible 790 successful passes during the competition, breaking the record he had previously established at Qatar 2022. Before Rodri, the benchmark belonged to fellow Spaniard Xavi.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo reaches another historic landmark
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments. The 41-year-old also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Cameroon’s Roger Milla.
12. Eloy Room equals save record
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays in tournament history by making 16 saves against Ecuador, matching Tim Howard’s World Cup record from 2014. However, Room achieved the feat in 90 minutes, while Howard required extra time.
Curaçao also became the least-populated nation ever to compete at the World Cup, overtaking Iceland, while Cabo Verde became the smallest country by population to qualify for the knockout rounds.
13. Unai Simon posts record number of clean sheets
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon kept seven clean sheets in eight matches, the highest total ever achieved in a single World Cup. Spain also conceded only one goal throughout their title-winning campaign, making them the most defensively solid champions in the tournament’s history, improving on the previous record of two goals conceded by France (1998), Italy (2006) and Spain (2010).