Record-Breaking World Cup 2026: Messi and Mbappe make history

The 2026 World Cup has already witnessed history, with two all-time goal records shattered even before the tournament reaches its climax. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe have both rewritten the record books, surpassing the previous mark set by Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Messi, with eight goals in Argentina’s opening six matches, became the first player in World Cup history to score 21 career goals in the tournament, overtaking Klose’s long-standing record of 16 goals. Meanwhile, Mbappe also moved to 20 career World Cup goals, also surpassing Klose. Both players have scored eight goals each in this tournament alone, setting up a fascinating battle for the Golden Boot as the competition enters its final stages.

Germany had earlier broken Brazil’s record for total goals scored by a nation in World Cup history following their 7-1 win over Curacao, but Brazil have since moved back past Germany by four clear goals. However, both nations have since been eliminated from the tournament.

The 2026 contest, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already a record-breaking tournament in terms of size. With 48 teams, it is comfortably the largest World Cup in history, introducing a 50% increase from the 32-team format that has been used since 1998. The expanded format has brought new nations to the global stage, adding excitement and unpredictability to the competition.

As the tournament enters its semi-finals, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open, with Messi and Mbappe leading the charge. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are also in contention, adding further drama to an already historic tournament. The record-breaking feats of Messi and Mbappe have captivated fans worldwide, cementing their legacies as two of the greatest players to ever grace the game. With the semi-finals and final still to come, more records could fall as the 2026 World Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments.