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World Cup 2026: Players and coaches shatter records
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

World Cup 2026: Players and coaches shatter records

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup saw numerous historic individual achievements alongside Spain's victory over Argentina in the final.
  • Several players and coaches set new tournament records, including Lionel Messi for most victories and Kylian Mbappe as the all-time leading scorer.
  • Records were also broken for oldest coach, most matches as coach, most goals by teammates, youngest substitute to score twice, most assists, most completed passes, and scoring in six different World Cups.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded not only with Spain lifting the trophy after defeating Argentina in a dramatic final but also with a cascade of individual records being shattered. Eight players and two coaches etched their names into World Cup history, marking the tournament as one of the most significant for individual achievements.

Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, continued to cement his legacy by setting three major records. He became the player with the most World Cup victories, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose with 23 wins. Messi also extended his record for consecutive World Cup appearances with a goal to nine, breaking the previous mark of six. Furthermore, he claimed the record for the most goals scored from outside the penalty area, with seven, overtaking Brazilian legend Rivellino.

Kylian Mbappe of France also reached a new pinnacle, becoming the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 22 goals in just 22 appearances, surpassing Messi's previous tally. Meanwhile, England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane achieved a unique feat, becoming the first teammates to each score six goals in a single World Cup edition, a mark later matched by France's Ousmane Dembélé and Mbappe.

Coaching milestones were also reached. Dick Advocaat, managing Curaçao, became the oldest coach to manage a World Cup match at 78 years and 271 days. Didier Deschamps of France set a new record for the most World Cup matches coached (26) and also secured the most World Cup victories by a coach.

Other notable record-breakers included Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, the youngest substitute to score twice at 20 years and 247 days. France's Michael Olise registered a record seven assists, breaking Pelé's 1970 record. Spain's Rodri completed an astonishing 790 passes, surpassing his own previous record. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo achieved the historic feat of scoring in six different World Cups, and Curaçao's Eloy Room equaled the record for most saves in a single match with 16.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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