The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to provide football’s biggest stage yet for several leading players seeking to rewrite some of the tournament’s most enduring records.
Scheduled to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the competition will feature an expanded 48-team format and 104 matches, creating more opportunities for players to set new milestones.
The enlarged tournament has increased expectations around established stars and emerging talents who could shape the next chapter of World Cup history.
Among the leading contenders for individual records is France forward Kylian Mbappé, whose goalscoring achievements at previous tournaments have already placed him among football’s elite performers.
Mbappé heads into the competition with 12 World Cup goals and remains only four behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals.
Should France progress deep into the tournament again, the forward could become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is also expected to continue extending several records linked to appearances, minutes played and leadership at the competition.
Messi currently holds Argentina’s World Cup scoring record with 13 goals and could strengthen his standing further if he participates in another successful campaign.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is equally pursuing another historic achievement after already becoming the first player to score in five different World Cups.
If Ronaldo scores during the 2026 edition, he would become the first footballer to register goals in six separate World Cup tournaments.
Spain youngster Lamine Yamal is among the emerging players attracting attention ahead of the competition because of the possibility of breaking age-related records.
At 18 years old during the tournament, Yamal could become the youngest player ever to win the World Cup Golden Ball if Spain reaches the latter stages and he plays a decisive role.
England captain Harry Kane is also approaching a national World Cup milestone as he attempts to surpass Gary Lineker’s longstanding scoring record.
Kane has already scored eight World Cup goals and requires two more to equal Lineker’s record of 10 for England.
Brazil forward Neymar remains another player with the opportunity to move closer to his country’s World Cup scoring benchmark.
The Brazilian has eight World Cup goals and continues to trail Ronaldo Nazário’s national record of 15 goals.
Fitness and selection will likely determine Neymar’s chances of challenging the mark during the tournament.
Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior is also viewed as a possible record contender because of his creativity and attacking influence.
Should Brazil advance to the latter stages, Vinícius could challenge the record for the highest number of assists by a Brazilian player in a single World Cup.
Norway striker Erling Haaland may also enter the tournament with expectations of breaking scoring records despite never featuring at a World Cup before.
If Norway qualifies, Haaland’s prolific club scoring record could place him among the favourites to challenge the mark for most goals scored in a debut World Cup tournament.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is another player whose performances could attract attention, particularly during knockout-stage penalty shootouts.
Martínez has already developed a reputation for decisive penalty saves and could move closer to the record for the most saves in World Cup shootouts if Argentina make another extended run in the competition.
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup is expected to increase the number of matches available to players, potentially making several long-standing records more vulnerable than in previous editions.
With established stars approaching the latter stages of their international careers and younger players seeking to define a new era, the tournament could become one of the most historically significant editions in football history.
