The World Cup records that could be broken in 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner and it’s set to be a record-breaking summer at the expanded tournament.

Here are someWorld Cup records that could fall this summer.

World Cup all-time top scorer

Miroslav Klose’s goal record is under real threat with more games than ever and two players in with a genuine chance of catching his 16-goal mark. The German goal-getter is just three goals ahead ofLionel Messi, who will lead Argentina’s defence of the trophy this summer.

One goal further back is Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 12 goals across the last two World Cup tournaments. At just 27, it feels a matter of when – and not if – Mbappe catches Klose.

First two-time World Cup Golden Boot winner

Across the entire 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup, no player has ever top-scored at multiple tournaments. That could change in 2026, with each of the three previous Golden Boot winners set to feature.

Kylian Mbappe led the 2022 tournament for goals and will captain a heavily-fancied France side, while Harry Kane arrives on the back of a 61-goal club season, seeking a second World Cup Golden Boot after his 2018 exploits.

A 34-year-old James Rodriguez is also part of the Colombia squad for the tournament, after his 2014 Golden Boot win.

Smallest nation to play at a World Cup

Debutants Curaçao will make history by becoming the smallest nation by population and area to ever play at the FIFA World Cup.

The tiny Caribbean island, with a population of less than 150,000, will break the previous record held by Iceland.

First players to play in six editions of the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa can all write their names into the record books by featuring at an unprecedented sixth World Cup. The trio have featured in every tournament since 2006 and are again included in their respective squads.

First foreign manager to win the tournament

Incredibly, no manager has ever coached a foreign side to World Cup success. Just two managers have ever reached a final in charge of a foreign nation, but that could change this summer.

Some of the biggest nations at the tournament are under foreign management, includingEngland (Thomas Tuchel), Brazil (Carlo Ancelotti) and Portugal (Roberto Martinez).

Most managerial wins

France manager Didier Deschamps is closing in on Helmut Schön’s World Cup record of 16 wins as a manager. Deschamps, who led France to the 2018 World Cup and a runners-up finish in 2022, has overseen 14 victories at the tournament.

Currently on 19 games overall, Deschamps also has Schön’s 25-game record in his sights,

Oldest World Cup manager

Curacao will have an experienced coach in charge for their first World Cup tournament.The 78-year-old Dick Advocaat oversaw their maiden qualification and is set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history.

He’ll eclipse Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years old when he oversaw Greece’s campaign in 2010.