The forthcoming FIFA World Cup, beginning in six days, will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history. For the first time, the competition will expand from 32 to 48 teams, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104. A new “Round of 32” stage has also been introduced, creating additional knockout fixtures and extending the overall structure of the tournament.
The expanded format significantly increases the number of matches available to players and coaches, raising the likelihood that several long-standing records will be challenged or surpassed. Five key records stand out as being under particular threat.
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1. Most World Cup match wins by a coach
The record for the most World Cup match victories by a coach is held by Germany’s Helmut Schön, who achieved 16 wins between 1966 and 1978 across four tournaments. During his tenure with West Germany, he led the team to one World Cup title, one runners-up finish, and one third-place finish, managing a total of 25 matches.
France head coach Didier Deschamps is now positioned to challenge this record. He has already recorded 14 wins in 19 World Cup matches. France have been drawn alongside Norway, Senegal and Iraq in their group. If they win at least two group-stage matches, Deschamps would equal Schön’s tally. Further progression to the knockout stages could see him surpass the German coach and become the outright leader in World Cup match victories as a coach.
2. Most goals in a single tournament
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a total of 172 goals were scored across 64 matches, averaging 2.69 goals per match. With the expansion to 104 matches, the likelihood of the overall scoring record being broken is significantly increased.
Even if the tournament follows a conservative scoring rate similar to the 1990 World Cup—recorded as the lowest scoring edition with an average of 2.21 goals per match—the total would still reach approximately 230 goals. This places the existing record for most goals in a single World Cup firmly under threat.
| Metric | Qatar 2022 | Projected 2026 (based on 1990 average) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 64 | 104 |
| Total goals | 172 | ~230 |
| Goals per match | 2.69 | 2.21 |
3. Players aged 40 or above in a single tournament
Across 22 editions of the World Cup, only seven players aged 40 or older have ever participated. In the upcoming tournament, that number could rise to eight within a single edition.
Players in this category include Cristiano Ronaldo (41), Manuel Neuer (40), Edin Džeko (40), Craig Gordon (43), Luka Modrić (40), Fernando Muslera (40) and Guillermo Ochoa (40).
If even two of these players feature in matches, the tournament would set a new record for the highest number of 40-plus participants in a single World Cup.
| Player | Country | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 41 |
| Craig Gordon | Scotland | 43 |
| Manuel Neuer | Germany | 40 |
| Luka Modrić | Croatia | 40 |
| Edin Džeko | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 40 |
| Fernando Muslera | Uruguay | 40 |
| Guillermo Ochoa | Mexico | 40 |
4. All-time World Cup top scorer
The all-time World Cup scoring record is held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals. The closest challengers are Lionel Messi with 13 goals and Kylian Mbappé with 12.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Neymar each have eight goals, placing them further behind in the race. Messi will turn 39 during the tournament, while Mbappé, aged 28, remains positioned for future campaigns as well.
At the previous World Cup, Mbappé scored eight goals, while Messi scored seven. If either player reaches a comparable output in the upcoming tournament, Klose’s long-standing record could be equalled or surpassed.
5. Youngest Golden Boot winner
The record for the youngest Golden Boot winner is held by Germany’s Thomas Müller, who won the award at the 2010 World Cup at the age of 20, having scored five goals.
This record could be challenged by Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who is 18 years old and played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 success. He is among the leading young contenders expected to feature prominently in the tournament.
The possibility of record changes across multiple categories reflects the expanded structure and increased match volume of the upcoming World Cup, which is set to provide more opportunities for both individual and team achievements.