FIFA World Cup Records
How has the FIFA World Cup evolved since 1930?
Which team has won the most World Cup titles?
When and where was the first FIFA World Cup played and who won it?
What is the highest scoring match in World Cup history?
Who is the youngest player to play in a menâs World Cup match?
What is the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and Golden Glove?
Which player has won the most individual FIFA World Cup awards?
The FIFA World Cup has come a long way since its inception in 1930, when it was organized as an experimental event that saw several European teams refuse to travel to South America to compete. The popularity of the 2026 World Cup, the 23rd edition in which the participating teams have increased from 32 to 48, highlights the success of the quadrennial competition. During the World Cupâs long history, players from more than 80 international menâs football (soccer) teams have set and broken all kinds of historic records. Notable feats that still remain unbroken include Cameroonâs Roger Milla becoming the oldest player to score a World Cup goal in 1994 at 42, and Franceâs Just Fontaine scoring 13 goals in the 1958 tournament. Read on to learn more about various menâs football records and awards related to the worldâs biggest football competition.
2026 FIFA World Cup records
Golden Boot race
- 10 goals: Kylian Mbappé (France)
- 8 goals: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 6 goals: Ousmane Dembélé (France), Harry Kane (England)
- 5 goals: Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
Red cards
Read about the 16 players who were shown red cards during the 2026 World Cup.
- Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa), straight red card for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) during a 2â0 loss against Mexico in a Group A match.
- Themba Zwane (South Africa), straight red card for striking Roberto Alvarado in the face during a 2â0 loss against Mexico in a Group A match.
- CĂ©sar Montes (Mexico), straight red card for DOGSO during a 2â0 win against South Africa in a Group A match.
- Homam Ahmed (Qatar), straight red card for DOGSO during a 6â0 loss against Canada in a Group B match.
- Assim Madibo (Qatar), straight red card for serious foul play following a late challenge on IsmaĂ«l KonĂ© during a 6â0 loss against Canada in a Group B match.
- Tarik MuharemoviÄ (Bosnia and Herzegovina), straight red card for DOGSO during a 4â1 loss against Switzerland in a Group B match.
- Miguel AlmirĂłn (Paraguay), straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking during a confrontation with an opponent during a 1â0 win against TĂŒrkiye in a Group D match.
- Nathan Ngoy (Belgium), straight red card for DOGSO during a 0â0 draw against Iran in a Group G match.
- Rebin Sulaka (Iraq), straight red card for DOGSO during a 5â0 loss against Senegal in a Group I match.
- AgustĂn Canobbio (Uruguay), straight red card for a reckless high challenge on Pau CubarsĂ during a 1â0 loss against Spain in a Group H match.
- Piero HincapiĂ© (Ecuador), straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking during a confrontation with Santiago GimĂ©nez during a 2â0 loss against Mexico in the round of 32.
- Folarin Balogun (United States), straight red card for serious foul play following a challenge on Tarik MuharemoviÄ during a 2â0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
- Jarell Quansah (England), straight red card for serious foul play following a high sliding challenge on JesĂșs Gallardo during a 3â2 win against Mexico in the round of 16.
- Breel Embolo (Switzerland), second yellow card, resulting in a red card, for simulation following a VAR review during a 3â1 extra-time loss against Argentina in the quarterfinals.
- Enzo FernĂĄndez (Argentina), second yellow card, resulting in a red card, for a foul against Spanish player Pau Cubarsi during the 1â0 (after extra time) loss against Spain in the final.
Team records
- 23, Brazil
- 21, Germany
- 19, Argentina
- 18, Italy
- 18, Mexico
- 23, Brazil (1930â2026)
- 19, Germany (including West Germany) (1954â2026)
- 14, Italy (1962â2014)
- 14, Argentina (1974â2026)
- 13, Spain (1978â2026)
- 12 goals, Austria 7â5 Switzerland (1954)
- 11 goals, Brazil 6â5 Poland (1938)
- 11 goals, Hungary 8â3 West Germany (1954)
- 11 goals, Hungary 10â1 El Salvador (1982)
- 10 goals, France 7â3 Paraguay (1958)
- 10 goals, England 6â4 France (2026)
- 9 goals, Hungary 9â0 South Korea (1954)
- 9 goals, Yugoslavia 9â0 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) (1974)
- 9 goals, Hungary 10â1 El Salvador (1982)
- 8 goals, Uruguay 8â0 Bolivia (1950)
- 8 goals, Germany 8â0 Saudi Arabia (2002)
- 119, Brazil
- 116, Germany
- 97, Argentina
- 83, Italy
- 83, England
- 82, France
- 79, Brazil
- 70, Germany
- 54, Argentina
- 45, Italy
- 45, France
- 29, Mexico
- 25, Argentina
- 24, Germany
- 23, South Korea
- 22, Uruguay
- 22, United States
- 22, France
- 21, Sweden
- 21, England
- 21, Belgium
- 247, Brazil
- 243, Germany
- 171, Argentina
- 156, France
- 128, Italy
- 135, Germany
- 112, Brazil
- 109, Argentina
- 104, Mexico
- 95, France
- 27, Hungary (1954)
- 25, West Germany (1954)
- 23, France (1958)
- 22, Brazil (1950)
- 20, England and France (2026)
- 19, Brazil (1970)
- 11 matches, Brazil (2002â06)
- 7 matches, Italy (1934â38)
- 6 matches, England (1966â70)
- 6 matches, Brazil (1970)
- 6 matches, Brazil (1978â82)
- 6 matches, Netherlands (2010)
- 6 matches, Spain (2010)
- 6 matches, France (2018â22)
- 16 matches, Netherlands (2014â26)
- 13 matches, Brazil (1958â66)
- 13 matches, Argentina (2022â26)
- 12 matches, Italy (1994â2002)
- 11 matches, Uruguay (1930â54)
- 11 matches, Brazil (1970â74)
- 11 matches, Brazil (1978â82)
- 11 matches, Germany (1990â94)
- 11 matches, Brazil (2002â06)
- 4, Portugal vs. Netherlands (2006)
- 3, Mexico vs. South Africa (2026)
- 3, Brazil vs. Czechoslovakia (1938)
- 3, Brazil vs. Hungary (1954)
- 3, South Africa vs. Denmark (1998)
- 3, Italy vs. United States (2006)
- 18, Netherlands vs. Argentina (2022)
- 16, Germany vs. Cameroon (2002)
- 16, Portugal vs. Netherlands (2006)
- 14, Netherlands vs. Spain (2010)
- 12, Senegal vs. Uruguay (2002)
- 141, Argentina
- 127, Germany
- 118, Brazil
- 113, Netherlands
- 92, Italy
Player records
- 34, Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 27, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- 25, Lothar MatthÀus (West Germany/Germany)
- 24, Miroslav Klose (Germany)
- 23, Manuel Neuer (Germany)
- 23, Paolo Maldini (Italy)
- 23, Luka Modric (Croatia)
- 22, Kylian Mbappé (France)
- 21, Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 16, Miroslav Klose (Germany)
- 15, Ronaldo (Brazil)
- 14, Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany)
- 14, Harry Kane (England)
- 13, Just Fontaine (France)
- 13, Just Fontaine (France; 1958)
- 11, SĂĄndor Kocsis (Hungary; 1954)
- 10, Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany; 1970)
- 10, Kylian Mbappé (France; 2026)
- 9, Ademir (Brazil; 1950)
- 9, Eusébio (Portugal; 1966)
- 8, Guillermo StĂĄbile (Argentina; 1930)
- 8, Ronaldo (Brazil; 2002)
- 8, Kylian Mbappé (France; 2022)
- 8, Lionel Messi (Argentina: 2026)
- SĂĄndor Kocsis (Hungary): 2, against South Korea and West Germany (1954)
- Just Fontaine (France): 2, against Paraguay and West Germany (1958)
- Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany): 2, against Bulgaria and Peru (1970)
- 11 seconds, Hakan ĆĂŒkĂŒr (TĂŒrkiye) vs. South Korea in 2002
- 15 seconds, VĂĄclav MaĆĄek (Czechoslovakia) vs. Mexico in 1962
- 25 seconds, Ernst Lehner (Germany) vs. Austria in 1934
- 28 seconds, Bryan Robson (England) vs. France in 1982
- 30 seconds, Clint Dempsey (United States) vs. Ghana in 2014
- 12, Lionel Messi (Argentina; 2006â26)
- 8, Diego Maradona (Argentina; 1986â94)
- 7, Grzegorz Lato (Poland; 1974â82)
- 7, Pierre Littbarski (Germany; 1982â90)
- 6, Uwe Seeler (West Germany; 1966â70)
- 6, Pelé (Brazil; 1970)
- 6, Thomas HĂ€Ăler (Germany; 1990â98)
- 6, David Beckham (England; 1998â2006)
- 6, Francesco Totti (Italy; 2002â06)
- 6, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany; 2006â14)
- 6, Thomas MĂŒller (Germany; 201â18)
- Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland): 17 years, 41 days old vs. Yugoslavia in 1982
- Samuel Etoâo (Cameroon): 17 years, 99 days old vs. Italy in 1998
- Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria): 17 years, 101 days old vs. England in 2002
- Salomon Olembé (Cameroon): 17 years, 185 days old vs. Austria in 1998
- Pelé (Brazil): 17 years, 235 days old vs. the Soviet Union in 1958
- Brazilian prodigy PeléAt 17 years and 239 days old in a match at the 1958 World Cup, Brazilian footballer Pelé became the youngest player to score in a men's World Cup.
- Pelé (Brazil): 17 years, 239 days old vs. Wales in 1958
- Manuel Rosas (Mexico): 18 years, 93 days old vs. Argentina in 1930
- Gavi (Spain): 18 years, 110 days old vs. Costa Rica in 2022
- Michael Owen (England): 18 years, 190 days old vs. Romania in 1998
- Nicolae KovĂĄcs (Romania): 18 years, 197 days old vs. Peru in 1930
- Essam El Hadary (Egypt): 45 years, 161 days old vs. Saudi Arabia in 2018
- Faryd MondragĂłn (Colombia): 43 years, 3 days old vs. Japan in 2014
- Roger Milla (Cameroon): 42 years, 39 days old vs. Russia in 1994
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 41 years, 132 days vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2026
- Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland): 41 years, 0 days old vs. Brazil in 1986
- Peter Shilton (England): 40 years, 292 days old vs. Italy in 1990
- Roger Milla (Cameroon): 42 years, 39 days old vs. Russia in 1994
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 41 years, 147 days old vs. Croatia in 2026
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 41 years, 138 days old vs. Uzbekistan in 2026
- Pepe (Portugal): 39 years, 283 days old vs. Switzerland in 2022
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 39 years, 13 days old vs. Egypt in 2026
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 39 years, 9 days old vs. Cabo Verde in 2026
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 39 years, 3 days old vs. Jordan in 2026
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 38 years, 363 days old vs. Austria in 2026
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 38 years, 357 days old vs. Algeria in 2026
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 37 years, 292 days old vs. Ghana in 2022
- Gunnar Gren (Sweden): 37 years, 236 days old vs. West Germany in 1958
- Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico): 37 years, 151 days old vs. France in 2010
- 23, Lionel Messi (Argentina; 2006â26)
- 17, Miroslav Klose (Germany; 2002â14)
- 17, Kylian MbappĂ© (France; 2018â2026)
- 16, Cafu (Brazil; 1994â2006)
- 15, Wolfgang Overath (West Germany; 1966â74)
- 15, Ronaldo (Brazil; 1998â2006)
- 15, Philipp Lahm (Germany; 2006â14)
- 15, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany; 2006â14)
- 15, Lothar MatthĂ€us (West Germany/Germany; 1982â98)
- 10, Peter Shilton (England)
- 10, Fabien Barthez (France)
- 8, Jan Jongbloed (Netherlands)
- 8, Emerson LeĂŁo (Brazil)
- 8, Sepp Maier (West Germany)
- 8, ClĂĄudio Taffarel (Brazil)
- 8, Hugo Lloris (France)
- 7, Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
- 6, Cafu (Brazil)
- 6, Lothar MatthÀus (Germany)
- 5, Rafael MĂĄrquez (Mexico)
- 5, NicolĂĄs Otamendi (Argentina)
- 5, Sulley Muntari (Ghana)
- 5, Héctor Moreno (Mexico)
Tournament records
- 308, Canada, Mexico, and United States (2026)
- 172, Qatar (2022)
- 171, France (1998)
- 171, Brazil (2014)
- 169, Russia (2018)
- 161, South Korea and Japan (2002)
- 173,850, Uruguay 2â1 Brazil (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- 152,772, Brazil 6â1 Spain (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- 142,429, Brazil 2â0 Yugoslavia (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- 138,886, Brazil 7â1 Sweden (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- 114,600, Mexico 1â1 Paraguay (1986), Estadio Azteca (also called Mexico City Stadium), Mexico City
- 114,600, Argentina 3â2 West Germany (1986), Estadio Azteca (also called Mexico City Stadium), Mexico City
- 6,810,966, Canada, Mexico, and United States (2026)
- 3,587,538, United States (1994)
- 3,429,873, Brazil (2014)
- 3,404,252, Qatar (2022)
- 3,359,439, Germany (2006)
- 3,178,856, South Africa (2010)
- 76 years (since 1950), Uruguay
- 60 years (since 1966), England
- 24 years (since 2002), Brazil
- 20 years (since 2006), Italy
- 16 years (since 2010), Spain
- 12 years (since 2014), Germany
- 8 years (since 2018), France
- 2006, 28 red cards (9 straight reds)
- 2010, 17 red cards (9 straight reds)
- 2026, 16 red cards (14 straight reds)
- 2014, 10 red cards (7 straight reds)
- 2022, 4 red cards (1 straight red)
- 2018, 4 red cards (2 straight reds)
FIFA World Cup award winners
The winners of various awards, including top goal scorer, best player, and best goalkeeper, from each menâs World Cup are listed in the table below.
| year and host(s) | winning captain and team | runner-up | final match result | Golden Ball1 | Golden Boot2 | Golden Glove3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Known as Player of the Tournament until 1978. | ||||||
| 2Presented to the top goal scorer and officially named the Golden Boot in 2010. | ||||||
| 3Lists goalkeepers selected for the All-Star teams until 1994; from 1994 to 2010 the award was known as the Lev Yashin Award. | ||||||
| 4Decisive final group stage match. | ||||||
| 1930, Uruguay | JosĂ© Nasazzi, Uruguay | Argentina | 4â2 | JosĂ© Nasazzi (Uruguay) | Guillermo StĂĄbile (Argentina): 8 goals | Enrique Ballestrero (Uruguay) |
| 1934, Italy | Gianpiero Combi, Italy | Czechoslovakia | 2â1 (after extra time) | Giuseppe Meazza (Italy) | OldĆich NejedlĂœ (Czechoslovakia): 5 goals | Ricardo Zamora (Spain) |
| 1938, France | Giuseppe Meazza, Italy | Hungary | 4â2 | LéÎnidas (Brazil) | LéÎnidas (Brazil): 7 goals | FrantiĆĄek PlĂĄniÄka (Czechoslovakia) |
| 1950, Brazil | Obdulio Varela, Uruguay | Brazil | 2â14 | Zizinho (Brazil) | Ademir (Brazil): 9 goals | Roque MĂĄspoli (Uruguay) |
| 1954, Switzerland | Fritz Walter, West Germany | Hungary | 3â2 | Ferenc PuskĂĄs (Hungary) | SĂĄndor Kocsis (Hungary): 11 goals | Gyula Grosics (Hungary) |
| 1958, Sweden | Hilderaldo Bellini, Brazil | Sweden | 5â2 | Didi (Brazil) | Just Fontaine (France): 13 goals | Harry Gregg (Northern Ireland) |
| 1962, Chile | Mauro Ramos, Brazil | Czechoslovakia | 3â1 | Garrincha (Brazil) | FlĂłriĂĄn Albert (Hungary), Valentin Ivanov (Soviet Union), Garrincha (Brazil), VavĂĄ (Brazil), DraĆŸan JerkoviÄ (Yugoslavia), and Leonel SĂĄnchez (Chile): 4 goals each | Viliam Schrojf (Czechoslovakia) |
| 1966, England | Bobby Moore, England | West Germany | 4â2 (after extra time) | Bobby Charlton (England) | EusĂ©bio (Portugal): 9 goals | Gordon Banks (England) |
| 1970, Mexico | Carlos Alberto, Brazil | Italy | 4â1 | PelĂ© (Brazil) | Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany): 10 goals | Ladislao Mazurkiewicz (Uruguay) |
| 1974, West Germany | Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany | Netherlands | 2â1 | Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) | Grzegorz Lato (Poland): 7 goals | Sepp Maier (West Germany) |
| 1978, Argentina | Daniel Passarella, Argentina | Netherlands | 3â1 (after extra time) | Mario Kempes (Argentina) | Mario Kempes (Argentina): 6 goals | Ubaldo Fillol (Argentina) |
| 1982, Spain | Dino Zoff, Italy | West Germany | 3â1 | Paolo Rossi (Italy) | Paolo Rossi (Italy): 6 goals | Dino Zoff (Italy) |
| 1986, Mexico | Diego Maradona, Argentina | West Germany | 3â2 | Diego Maradona (Argentina) | Gary Lineker (England): 6 goals | Jean-Marie Pfaff (Belgium) |
| 1990, Italy | Lothar MatthĂ€us, West Germany | Argentina | 1â0 | Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) | Salvatore Schillaci (Italy): 6 goals | Luis Gabelo Conejo (Costa Rica) and Sergio Goycochea (Argentina) |
| 1994, United States | Dunga, Brazil | Italy | 0â0 (3â2 on penalties) | RomĂĄrio (Brazil) | Oleg Salenko (Russia) and Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria): 6 goals each | Michel Preud'homme (Belgium) |
| 1998, France | Didier Deschamps, France | Brazil | 3â0 | Ronaldo (Brazil) | Davor Ć uker (Croatia): 6 goals | Fabien Barthez (France) |
| 2002, South Korea and Japan | Cafu, Brazil | Germany | 2â0 | Oliver Kahn (Germany) | Ronaldo (Brazil): 8 goals | Oliver Kahn (Germany) |
| 2006, Germany | Fabio Cannavaro, Italy | France | 1â1 (5â3 on penalties) | Zinedine Zidane (France) | Miroslav Klose (Germany): 5 goals | Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) |
| 2010, South Africa | Iker Casillas, Spain | Netherlands | 1â0 (after extra time) | Diego ForlĂĄn (Uruguay) | Thomas MĂŒller (Germany): 5 goals | Iker Casillas (Spain) |
| 2014, Brazil | Philipp Lahm, Germany | Argentina | 1â0 (after extra time) | Lionel Messi (Argentina) | James RodrĂguez (Colombia): 6 goals | Manuel Neuer (Germany) |
| 2018, Russia | Hugo Lloris, France | Croatia | 4â2 | Luka ModriÄ (Croatia) | Harry Kane (England): 6 goals | Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) |
| 2022, Qatar | Lionel Messi, Argentina | France | 3â3 (4â2 on penalties) | Lionel Messi (Argentina) | Kylian MbappĂ© (France): 8 goals | Emiliano MartĂnez (Argentina) |
| 2026, Canada, Mexico, and the United States | Rodri, Spain | Argentina | 1â0 (after extra time) | Rodri (Spain) | Kylian MbappĂ© (France): 10 goals | Unai SimĂłn (Spain) |





