FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is set to offer more than just football’s ultimate prize, with several historic records hanging in the balance.
From legendary superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to football powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany, numerous milestones could be rewritten over the coming weeks.
Much of the attention will once again be focused on Messi and Ronaldo, who are both on course to become the first players in history to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Having made their World Cup debuts in Germany in 2006, the two icons have continued to extend careers that have already redefined modern football.
Messi enters the tournament holding several World Cup records, including most appearances (26), most minutes played (2,314), and most matches captained (19), with the Argentine expected to add further to those numbers.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has the opportunity to achieve another unprecedented feat. The Portugal captain is already the only player to score in five different World Cup editions and could become the first footballer ever to find the net in six separate tournaments.
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Another long-standing record that could come under serious threat is Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring tally of 16 goals.
Messi arrives in North America with 13 World Cup goals, while France forward Kylian Mbappe has already accumulated 12 despite still being in the early stages of his international career.
Both players remain firmly in contention to surpass the German legend’s mark.
Mbappe could also create history in another category. Having scored in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals, the French superstar has the chance to become the first player ever to score in three separate World Cup title matches.
Argentina are also chasing a place among football’s most exclusive groups. The reigning champions could become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title if they lift the trophy once again.
Only Italy, which won consecutive titles in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil, champions in 1958 and 1962, have previously achieved the feat. A successful defence by Argentina would end a 64-year wait for back-to-back world champions.
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Messi could further strengthen his legacy by becoming the player with the most victories in World Cup history.
The current record belongs to Miroslav Klose, who was part of 17 World Cup wins during his international career. Messi sits just one victory behind and needs two more wins to move clear at the top of the all-time list.
In goal, Belgium captain Thibaut Courtois also has a notable target within reach. The goalkeeper currently has seven World Cup clean sheets and is chasing the record of 10 jointly held by England’s Peter Shilton and France’s Fabien Barthez.
Brazil, meanwhile, are aiming to extend their status as the most successful nation in World Cup history. The five-time champions are seeking a record sixth title and will also continue adding to records for most appearances, victories and goals scored at the tournament.
France could join another elite group if they reach the final once more. Having won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022, Les Bleus would become only the third nation to appear in three consecutive finals after Germany and Brazil.
England and Uruguay are pursuing a history of a different kind as both nations attempt to end lengthy waits for World Cup glory.
If England secure their first title since 1966, they would surpass Italy’s record for the longest gap between World Cup triumphs, ending a 60-year drought. Uruguay, champions in 1950, would break the record even more dramatically by ending a 76-year wait.
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