FIFA 2026 was an unforgettable year in the world of football, not only because Spain won the World Cup a second time but also due to various surprising records set that forever changed the sport.
The larger tournament of 48 teams set new records for players, teams and the tournament itself.
Kylian Mbappé of France achieved one of the biggest records. The 27-year-old is the first to win the Golden Boot at two back-to-back World Cups.
Following Qatar 2022, where he was the top scorer, Mbappé did the same in 2026.
He also broke Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals during the tournament to become the top scorer in men’s World Cup history.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi added another amazing feat too. He was the oldest outfielder to play in a men’s World Cup final (39 years).
Further on in the competition, Messi extended his record-breaking international career with a hat trick, as he was the oldest player to record a hat trick in World Cup history.
Besides that, there was also one of the greatest underdog stories of the tournament.
Cape Verde, which debuted at the World Cup became the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages of FIFA World Cup.
The African side played very well against some well-known sides before being eliminated by Argentina in the round of 32.
New records were set within the expanded format. The 2026 edition marked the largest World Cup in history with a total of 48 teams and 104 matches.
The World Cup also had the most goals in tournament history, passing the number of goals scored in France 1998 and Qatar 2022.
Read more: Mbappe claims historic second World Cup golden boot
There were also unparalleled numbers of fans at the show. It was the most-watched World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with over six million people at matches throughout the region.
It was also the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup that it was hosted by three nations.
Another record was of the Curaçao head coach Dick Advocaat who is the oldest manager ever to coach at a FIFA World Cup, breaking previous records.
The 2026 World Cup also showcased the increasing competitiveness of international football. The gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging teams is ever shrinking, as smaller teams like Cape Verde, Morocco, Norway and Paraguay had great runs.
Whether it was Mbappé’s unprecedented Golden Boot double or the record attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in host cities, the event is sure to be etched in the memories of football fans worldwide.
Also read: FIFA 2026 WC: England team robbed ahead of World Cup opening match
