Biggest records set at FIFA World Cup 2026 [Full list]

Spain clinched their second FIFA World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 final. The tournament, expanded to a record 48 teams, delivered a high-scoring spectacle, averaging 2.96 goals per game – the highest rate in over five decades since the 1970 World Cup.

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The tournament produced 308 goals in 104 matches, an average of 2.96 goals per game. That is the highest scoring average at a World Cup since the 1970 edition, which averaged 2.97 goals per match.

The expanded format also led to a record number of standout individual performances, with six players netting six goals or more. These included Kylian Mbappé (10 goals), Lionel Messi (8), Jude Bellingham (7), Erling Haaland (7), Ousmane Dembélé (6), and Harry Kane (6).

France captain Kylian Mbappé was a dominant force, not only winning the Golden Boot for the second consecutive tournament but also setting a new benchmark for goals in a single World Cup edition with 10. This achievement places him in elite company, with only France's Just Fontaine (13 goals in 1958) and Hungary's Sándor Kocsis (11 goals in 1954) having scored more in a single tournament.

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Kylian Mbappé finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, becoming the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot at two different tournaments after also claiming the award at Qatar 2022.

Furthermore, Mbappé emerged as the competition's all-time leading scorer. Entering the tournament trailing Lionel Messi in career World Cup goals, Mbappé ultimately surpassed Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16. By scoring twice in France's third-place playoff victory, Mbappé finished the tournament with a total of 22 career World Cup goals, edging out Messi's 21.

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Mbappé eventually claimed the all-time record after scoring twice in France’s third-place victory over England, ending the tournament with 22 World Cup goals.