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Top Questions

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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 Cup’s long history, players from more than 80 international men’s football (soccer) teams have set and broken all kinds of historic records. Notable feats that still remain unbroken include Cameroon’s Roger Milla becoming the oldest player to score a World Cup goal in 1994 at 42, and France’s Just Fontaine scoring 13 goals in the 1958 tournament. Read on to learn more about various men’s football records and awards related to the world’s biggest football competition.

2026 FIFA World Cup records

Golden Boot race

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 2–0 loss against Mexico in a Group A match.
  • Themba Zwane (South Africa), straight red card for striking Roberto Alvarado in the face during a 2–0 loss against Mexico in a Group A match.
  • CĂ©sar Montes (Mexico), straight red card for DOGSO during a 2–0 win against South Africa in a Group A match.
  • Homam Ahmed (Qatar), straight red card for DOGSO during a 6–0 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 6–0 loss against Canada in a Group B match.
  • Tarik Muharemović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), straight red card for DOGSO during a 4–1 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 1–0 win against TĂŒrkiye in a Group D match.
  • Nathan Ngoy (Belgium), straight red card for DOGSO during a 0–0 draw against Iran in a Group G match.
  • Rebin Sulaka (Iraq), straight red card for DOGSO during a 5–0 loss against Senegal in a Group I match.
  • AgustĂ­n Canobbio (Uruguay), straight red card for a reckless high challenge on Pau CubarsĂ­ during a 1–0 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 2–0 loss against Mexico in the round of 32.
  • Folarin Balogun (United States), straight red card for serious foul play following a challenge on Tarik Muharemović during a 2–0 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 3–2 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 3–1 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 1–0 (after extra time) loss against Spain in the final.

Team records

Title Winners

Most World Cup Appearances
  • 23, Brazil
  • 21, Germany
  • 19, Argentina
  • 18, Italy
  • 18, Mexico
Most Consecutive World Cup Appearances
  • 23, Brazil (1930–2026)
  • 19, Germany (including West Germany) (1954–2026)
  • 14, Italy (1962–2014)
  • 14, Argentina (1974–2026)
  • 13, Spain (1978–2026)
Highest Scoring Matches
  • 12 goals, Austria 7–5 Switzerland (1954)
  • 11 goals, Brazil 6–5 Poland (1938)
  • 11 goals, Hungary 8–3 West Germany (1954)
  • 11 goals, Hungary 10–1 El Salvador (1982)
  • 10 goals, France 7–3 Paraguay (1958)
  • 10 goals, England 6–4 France (2026)
Largest Margins of Victory
  • 9 goals, Hungary 9–0 South Korea (1954)
  • 9 goals, Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) (1974)
  • 9 goals, Hungary 10–1 El Salvador (1982)
  • 8 goals, Sweden 8–0 Cuba (1938)
  • 8 goals, Uruguay 8–0 Bolivia (1950)
  • 8 goals, Germany 8–0 Saudi Arabia (2002)
Most Matches Played
  • 119, Brazil
  • 116, Germany
  • 97, Argentina
  • 83, Italy
  • 83, England
  • 82, France
Most Matches Won
  • 79, Brazil
  • 70, Germany
  • 54, Argentina
  • 45, Italy
  • 45, France
Most Matches Lost
  • 29, Mexico
  • 25, Argentina
  • 24, Germany
  • 23, South Korea
  • 22, Uruguay
  • 22, France
  • 21, Sweden
  • 21, England
  • 21, Belgium
Most Goals Scored
  • 247, Brazil
  • 243, Germany
  • 171, Argentina
  • 156, France
  • 128, Italy
Most Goals Conceded
  • 135, Germany
  • 112, Brazil
  • 109, Argentina
  • 104, Mexico
  • 95, France
Most Goals Scored in a Single Tournament
  • 27, Hungary (1954)
  • 25, West Germany (1954)
  • 23, France (1958)
  • 22, Brazil (1950)
  • 20, England and France (2026)
  • 19, Brazil (1970)
Longest Winning Streaks
  • 11 matches, Brazil (2002–06)
  • 7 matches, Italy (1934–38)
  • 6 matches, England (1966–70)
  • 6 matches, Brazil (1970)
  • 6 matches, Brazil (1978–82)
  • 6 matches, Netherlands (2010)
  • 6 matches, Spain (2010)
  • 6 matches, France (2018–22)
Longest Unbeaten Streaks (Draws Included)
  • 16 matches, Netherlands (2014–26)
  • 13 matches, Brazil (1958–66)
  • 13 matches, Argentina (2022–26)
  • 12 matches, Italy (1994–2002)
  • 11 matches, Uruguay (1930–54)
  • 11 matches, Brazil (1970–74)
  • 11 matches, Brazil (1978–82)
  • 11 matches, Germany (1990–94)
  • 11 matches, Brazil (2002–06)
Longest Winless Streaks (Draws Included)
  • 16 matches, Bulgaria (1962–94)
  • 14 matches, South Korea (1954–98)
  • 13 matches, Chile (1966–98)
  • 13 matches, Mexico (1930–62)
  • 13 matches, Tunisia (1978–2018)
  • 12 matches, Saudi Arabia (1994–2018)
Most Red Cards in a Match
  • 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, Australia vs. Croatia (2006)
  • 3, Italy vs. United States (2006)
Most Yellow Cards in a Match
  • 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)
Most Yellow Cards (by Country)
  • 141, Argentina
  • 127, Germany
  • 118, Brazil
  • 113, Netherlands
  • 92, Italy

Player records

Most Appearances
Most Goals
  • 22, Kylian MbappĂ© (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)
Most Goals in a Single Tournament
  • 13, Just Fontaine (France; 1958)
  • 11, SĂĄndor Kocsis (Hungary; 1954)
  • 10, Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany; 1970)
  • 10, Kylian MbappĂ© (France; 2026)
  • 9, Ademir (Brazil; 1950)
  • 9, EusĂ©bio (Portugal; 1966)
  • 8, Guillermo StĂĄbile (Argentina; 1930)
  • 8, Ronaldo (Brazil; 2002)
  • 8, Kylian MbappĂ© (France; 2022)
  • 8, Lionel Messi (Argentina: 2026)
Leading Hat Trick Scorers
  • 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)
  • Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina): 2, against Greece (1994) and Jamaica (1998)
Fastest Goals
  • 11 seconds, Hakan ĆžĂŒkĂŒr (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
Most Assists
  • 12, Lionel Messi (Argentina; 2006–26)
  • 8, Diego Maradona (Argentina; 1986–94)
  • 7, Grzegorz Lato (Poland; 1974–82)
  • 7, Pierre Littbarski (Germany; 1982–90)
  • 6, Uwe Seeler (West Germany; 1966–70)
  • 6, PelĂ© (Brazil; 1970)
  • 6, Thomas HĂ€ĂŸler (Germany; 1990–98)
  • 6, David Beckham (England; 1998–2006)
  • 6, Francesco Totti (Italy; 2002–06)
  • 6, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany; 2006–14)
  • 6, Thomas MĂŒller (Germany; 201–18)
Youngest Players
  • Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland): 17 years, 41 days old vs. Yugoslavia in 1982
  • Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon): 17 years, 99 days old vs. Italy in 1998
  • Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria): 17 years, 101 days old vs. England in 2002
  • Salomon OlembĂ© (Cameroon): 17 years, 185 days old vs. Austria in 1998
  • PelĂ© (Brazil): 17 years, 235 days old vs. the Soviet Union in 1958
Youngest Scorers
  • PelĂ© (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
Oldest Players
Oldest Scorers
  • 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
  • CuauhtĂ©moc Blanco (Mexico): 37 years, 151 days old vs. France in 2010
Most Match Wins
  • 23, Lionel Messi (Argentina; 2006–26)
  • 17, Miroslav Klose (Germany; 2002–14)
  • 17, Kylian MbappĂ© (France; 2018–2026)
  • 16, Cafu (Brazil; 1994–2006)
  • 15, Wolfgang Overath (West Germany; 1966–74)
  • 15, Ronaldo (Brazil; 1998–2006)
  • 15, Philipp Lahm (Germany; 2006–14)
  • 15, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany; 2006–14)
  • 15, Lothar MatthĂ€us (West Germany/Germany; 1982–98)
Most Clean Sheets (Goalkeepers)
  • 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)
Most Yellow Cards
  • 7, Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
  • 6, Cafu (Brazil)
  • 6, Lothar MatthĂ€us (Germany)
  • 5, Rafael MĂĄrquez (Mexico)
  • 5, NicolĂĄs Otamendi (Argentina)
  • 5, Sulley Muntari (Ghana)
  • 5, HĂ©ctor Moreno (Mexico)

Tournament records

Most Goals Scored in a World Cup
  • 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)
Highest Match Attendance
  • 173,850, Uruguay 2–1 Brazil (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
  • 152,772, Brazil 6–1 Spain (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
  • 142,429, Brazil 2–0 Yugoslavia (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
  • 138,886, Brazil 7–1 Sweden (1950), MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
  • 114,600, Mexico 1–1 Paraguay (1986), Estadio Azteca (also called Mexico City Stadium), Mexico City
  • 114,600, Argentina 3–2 West Germany (1986), Estadio Azteca (also called Mexico City Stadium), Mexico City
Highest Tournament Attendance
  • 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)
Longest World Cup Droughts Among Winners
  • 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
Most Red Cards in a Single Tournament
  • 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 men’s World Cup are listed in the table below.

FIFA World Cup Award Winners
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 4–2 JosĂ© Nasazzi (Uruguay) Guillermo StĂĄbile (Argentina): 8 goals Enrique Ballestrero (Uruguay)
1934, Italy Gianpiero Combi, Italy Czechoslovakia 2–1 (after extra time) Giuseppe Meazza (Italy) Oldƙich NejedlĂœ (Czechoslovakia): 5 goals Ricardo Zamora (Spain)
1938, France Giuseppe Meazza, Italy Hungary 4–2 LéÎnidas (Brazil) LéÎnidas (Brazil): 7 goals FrantiĆĄek PlĂĄnička (Czechoslovakia)
1950, Brazil Obdulio Varela, Uruguay Brazil 2–14 Zizinho (Brazil) Ademir (Brazil): 9 goals Roque Máspoli (Uruguay)
1954, Switzerland Fritz Walter, West Germany Hungary 3–2 Ferenc Puskás (Hungary) Sándor Kocsis (Hungary): 11 goals Gyula Grosics (Hungary)
1958, Sweden Hilderaldo Bellini, Brazil Sweden 5–2 Didi (Brazil) Just Fontaine (France): 13 goals Harry Gregg (Northern Ireland)
1962, Chile Mauro Ramos, Brazil Czechoslovakia 3–1 Garrincha (Brazil) FlĂłriĂĄn Albert (Hungary), Valentin Ivanov (Soviet Union), Garrincha (Brazil), VavĂĄ (Brazil), DraĆŸan Jerković (Yugoslavia), and Leonel SĂĄnchez (Chile): 4 goals each Viliam Schrojf (Czechoslovakia)
1966, England Bobby Moore, England West Germany 4–2 (after extra time) Bobby Charlton (England) EusĂ©bio (Portugal): 9 goals Gordon Banks (England)
1970, Mexico Carlos Alberto, Brazil Italy 4–1 PelĂ© (Brazil) Gerd MĂŒller (West Germany): 10 goals Ladislao Mazurkiewicz (Uruguay)
1974, West Germany Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany Netherlands 2–1 Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) Grzegorz Lato (Poland): 7 goals Sepp Maier (West Germany)
1978, Argentina Daniel Passarella, Argentina Netherlands 3–1 (after extra time) Mario Kempes (Argentina) Mario Kempes (Argentina): 6 goals Ubaldo Fillol (Argentina)
1982, Spain Dino Zoff, Italy West Germany 3–1 Paolo Rossi (Italy) Paolo Rossi (Italy): 6 goals Dino Zoff (Italy)
1986, Mexico Diego Maradona, Argentina West Germany 3–2 Diego Maradona (Argentina) Gary Lineker (England): 6 goals Jean-Marie Pfaff (Belgium)
1990, Italy Lothar MatthĂ€us, West Germany Argentina 1–0 Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) Salvatore Schillaci (Italy): 6 goals Luis Gabelo Conejo (Costa Rica) and Sergio Goycochea (Argentina)
1994, United States Dunga, Brazil Italy 0–0 (3–2 on penalties) Romário (Brazil) Oleg Salenko (Russia) and Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria): 6 goals each Michel Preud'homme (Belgium)
1998, France Didier Deschamps, France Brazil 3–0 Ronaldo (Brazil) Davor Ơuker (Croatia): 6 goals Fabien Barthez (France)
2002, South Korea and Japan Cafu, Brazil Germany 2–0 Oliver Kahn (Germany) Ronaldo (Brazil): 8 goals Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006, Germany Fabio Cannavaro, Italy France 1–1 (5–3 on penalties) Zinedine Zidane (France) Miroslav Klose (Germany): 5 goals Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
2010, South Africa Iker Casillas, Spain Netherlands 1–0 (after extra time) Diego ForlĂĄn (Uruguay) Thomas MĂŒller (Germany): 5 goals Iker Casillas (Spain)
2014, Brazil Philipp Lahm, Germany Argentina 1–0 (after extra time) Lionel Messi (Argentina) James Rodríguez (Colombia): 6 goals Manuel Neuer (Germany)
2018, Russia Hugo Lloris, France Croatia 4–2 Luka Modrić (Croatia) Harry Kane (England): 6 goals Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
2022, Qatar Lionel Messi, Argentina France 3–3 (4–2 on penalties) Lionel Messi (Argentina) Kylian MbappĂ© (France): 8 goals Emiliano MartĂ­nez (Argentina)
2026, Canada, Mexico, and the United States Rodri, Spain Argentina 1–0 (after extra time) Rodri (Spain) Kylian MbappĂ© (France): 10 goals Unai SimĂłn (Spain)

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