Records that could be broken at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: A What's The Record? deep dive
We’re chatting all things World Cup in a special episode of Guinness World Records' podcast What’s The Record?
Host Will Munford was joined on the sofa by Tom Beckerlegge, Editor of the Guinness World Records Football Edition.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off in Mexico City this week, Will and Tom sat down to discuss some of the many exciting records that could be broken during the tournament.
Watch the episode in full here…
“I’m excited, I’ve got World Cup fever!” Will exclaims at the top of the episode.
If you’re just as excited, you should definitely check out the episode for some in-depth knowledge, but just to cover off some of the highlights…
We’re due to see a whopping 104 games this time around. Compared to the 64 that took place in the 2022 tournament in Qatar, that means the record for most goals in a World Cup tournament - currently standing at 172 - will almost certainly fall.
Another record under threat is the most World Cup goals by a player, held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16. Both France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, currently on 12 and 13 goals, respectively, will feel that they have a chance of at least equalling that mark.
Messi and his great rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, are set to increase the record for the most tournament appearances to six. And if Ronaldo finds the back of the net, he’ll extend his record for the most tournaments scored in. He’s scored in all five he’s played in so far.
Will and Tom also share their World Cup memories, chat about the tournament-inspired mass participation events going on around the globe, and even swap notes on how music goes “hand-in-hand” (Will’s words) with the World Cup.
Tom also reveals which players he’ll be keeping a close eye on during the tournament and which teams are the ones to watch.
To get us all even more in the mood for the World Cup, memory master Fabian Saal stopped by our London HQ to attempt a string of footy themed records.
Among the titles he was aiming to claim were the most FIFA World Cup match results memorized whilst controlling a football in 30 seconds and the most FIFA World Cup match results memorized whilst juggling three objects in one minute.
Watch What's The Record? on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
And head to the store for your copy of the Football Edition 2026 – the 2027 edition will be released this October!