All-time top scorer chase
The long-standing World Cup scoring record held by Miroslav Klose is under serious pressure heading into 2026. He sits on 16 goals, with several modern attackers closing in as the expanded format offers more matches than before.
Lionel Messi is among the closest challengers, currently just three goals behind Klose, and will again lead Argentina’s defence of their title. One goal further back is Kylian Mbappe, who has already scored 12 World Cup goals across the last two editions and is still only 27, making the record increasingly reachable.
Multiple Golden Boot history in reach
A separate milestone that could be rewritten in 2026 is the possibility of a first-ever two-time Golden Boot winner. Across the entire history of the tournament, no player has managed to finish as top scorer in more than one edition.
Kylian Mbappe returns after leading the 2022 tournament in goals and will captain a strong France side. England captain Harry Kane also arrives with major momentum after a 61-goal club season and is aiming for a second Golden Boot following his 2018 success. Colombia’s James Rodriguez is also part of the conversation, returning to the tournament after previously winning the award in 2014.
Six tournament appearances milestone
The 2026 edition could also see history made through longevity, with several iconic players potentially appearing in a sixth World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Guillermo Ochoa have each taken part in every tournament since 2006 and could extend that run.
If they feature again, it would mark an unprecedented sixth appearance at the competition for all three players, setting a new benchmark for World Cup participation longevity.
Coaching milestones and historic debuts
Several managerial and team-based records are also in reach. No foreign coach has ever won the World Cup, although a number of high-profile national teams are currently led by overseas managers, including England under Thomas Tuchel, Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti, and Portugal under Roberto Martinez.
On the records side, France manager Didier Deschamps is closing in on Helmut Schön’s mark of 16 World Cup wins and has already reached 14 victories, with a total of 19 matches managed at the tournament so far.
The 2026 World Cup will also see debutants Curaçao become the smallest nation ever to feature at the finals, with a population under 150,000, surpassing the previous record held by Iceland. At the other end of the spectrum, their coach Dick Advocaat is set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history at 78, overtaking Otto Rehhagel’s previous record.