Kick off the 2026 World Cup countdown with America's most astonishing soccer records ever
For soccer (or football, for those outside the US) fans across the globe, 2026 marks an exciting year. The United States, alongside Canada and Mexico, is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup – only the second time the tournament has been played on American soil.
While some international fans may question the United States’ passion for the sport, history suggests otherwise. When the US hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup, it achieved the largest attendance at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament, drawing 3,587,538 spectators across 52 matches and an average of 68,991 fans per game – a record that still stands today!
To celebrate both the upcoming World Cup and the first-ever release of the Guinness World Records 2026 Soccer Edition, we’re highlighting some of the most extraordinary American soccer records featured in this year’s edition…
Most Assists in a Major League Soccer (MLS) Match
American interest in soccer has soared in recent years, thanks in part to global superstar Lionel Messi. The Argentine legend stunned the world when he joined Inter Miami CF, turning down offers from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal and his former club FC Barcelona. Recently, Messi extended his contract through 2028. He holds the record for the most assists in a MLS match, achieved on 5 May 2024, against the New York Red Bulls, where he assisted five of Miami’s six goals and scored the other himself.
Youngest Player in MLS
While perhaps not yet a household name, midfielder Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union is quickly emerging as one of soccer’s top young talents. In his debut game on 17 July 2024, Sullivan set the record as the youngest player in MLS, taking the field at just 14 years and 293 days old. Once he turns 18, Sullivan will join Manchester City.
Most wins of the MLS Cup (team)
With six championship victories, LA Galaxy holds the record for the most wins of the MLS Cup (team). The team captured its latest title on 7 December 2024, defeating the New York Red Bulls 2–1 in the final. Over the years, LA Galaxy has featured some of soccer’s most iconic names, including David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Soon, California itself will be in the soccer spotlight once again, hosting World Cup matches in Inglewood and Santa Clara.
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Most wins of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (team)
Ranked #8 in the list of 100 records featured in Guinness World Records 2026 Soccer Edition, the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) continues to lead the world stage with the most wins of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (team). With four wins out of nine tournaments (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019), the team is preparing for another promising run at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The USWNT’s success has been powered by remarkable athletes who hold records of their own, including Alex Morgan (most goals scored by an individual in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match), Megan Rapinoe (oldest goalscorer in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final), and Carli Lloyd, who holds multiple titles including fastest goal scored in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
To discover and celebrate even more goal-den records, grab your very own copy of the first-ever Guinness World Records 2026 Soccer Edition today!
Header image: Photo by Tobias Flyckt on Unsplash