Nearly a century of the greatest show in football — the all-time scorers, the most-decorated nations, the records that still stand, and the moments that defined generations. Plus the marks on the line at the biggest World Cup ever.
39 days across three host nations — already the largest edition in history
Messi has drawn level; Mbappé sits two behind on 14
Three separate opening ceremonies for the first time
Debutants — the least-populous country ever to reach a World Cup
A sixth World Cup each, headlining one of the oldest veteran fields ever
The most prolific marksmen in World Cup history.
| # | Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miroslav KloseRecord across four tournaments | Germany | 16 |
| 2 | Lionel MessiTied Klose in 2026 | Argentina | 16 |
| 3 | Ronaldo Nazário | Brazil | 15 |
| 4 | Gerd Müller | West Germany | 14 |
| 5 | Kylian MbappéActive — chasing the record | France | 14 |
1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
1978, 1986, 2022
Qatar 2022 (64 matches) — set to fall in 2026's 104-match edition
13 goals in 1958 — untouched for over 60 years
5 goals, Russia 6–1 Cameroon, 1994
6 World Cups each
Against England, Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' and, minutes later, the 'Goal of the Century' — a solo run past half the team.
Uruguay silenced a record Maracanã crowd to beat hosts Brazil in the deciding match — still Brazilian football's defining heartbreak.
Geoff Hurst's treble won England the final at Wembley — the only World Cup final hat-trick until Mbappé in 2022.
Part-timers stunned the English in one of the sport's original giant-killings.
Cameroon beat the defending champions in the opener with nine men at the finish.