The 2026 FIFA World Cup has set numerous records, marking it as the largest tournament in its 96-year history with 48 teams.Attendance records were shattered, with 6.5 million fans watching matches as of 15 July, surpassing the 1994 record.A total of 294 goals were scored in 101 matches, averaging nearly three goals per game—higher than the 2022 World Cup's 172 goals.Mexico, the USA, and Canada co-hosted the event, becoming the first nations to achieve this milestone.Curaçao, with a population of over 150,000, became the smallest nation ever to compete in a World Cup and scored a goal, breaking another record.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the tournament, with Messi playing 32 matches—more than any player in history—and scoring 21 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record.Erling Haaland, despite exiting in the quarter-finals, became Norway's highest World Cup goal scorer with seven goals.Kylian Mbappé tied with Messi for top goalscorer, while Harry Kane surpassed Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading scorer.The tournament's expanded format allowed smaller nations to participate, creating new milestones in football history.