The records broken at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the most historic editions in football history, not only for Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final but also for the remarkable records, milestones and firsts that defined the expanded tournament.

The competition became the largest FIFA World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and attracting a record attendance of more than six million fans across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It also produced the highest number of goals ever scored in a single World Cup, highlighting the success of FIFA's expanded format.

France captain Kylian Mbappé once again cemented his place among football's greatest.

After scoring twice against England, he became the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals ,surpassing the previous record.

Mbappé also retained the Golden Boot, becoming the first player to win the award in consecutive World Cups, while extending his record as the competition's most prolific scorer in knockout matches.

Despite Argentina's heartbreak in the final, captain Lionel Messi reached another historic milestone by becoming the all-time leading assist provider in FIFA World Cup history with 12 assists, adding yet another achievement to his legendary international career.

Spain's triumph also saw a new star emerge. Teenage defender Pau Cubarsí was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament, becoming only the second defender to receive the honour since the award was introduced.

His composed performances at the heart of Spain's defence played a crucial role in the country's second World Cup title.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the champions were also presented with championship rings, adopting a tradition long associated with American sports such as the NBA and NFL.

Every member of Spain's victorious squad and coaching staff received a commemorative ring to celebrate their achievement, while FIFA also announced a limited number of replica rings for supporters.

Argentina also entered the record books for an unwanted reason. The Albiceleste became the team with the most red cards in FIFA World Cup final history, extending an unfortunate disciplinary record after another dismissal in the 2026 final.

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cups, extending a remarkable record that may stand for generations.

The tournament also celebrated the rise of football's smaller nations. Cape Verde became the smallest country by population ever to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, producing one of the competition's biggest surprise stories.

On the touchline, Curaçao head coach Dick Advocaat became the oldest manager in FIFA World Cup history at 78 years, proving experience still has a place at football's biggest tournament.

Spain's victory also marked the nation's second FIFA World Cup title, completing an outstanding campaign that saw La Roja return to the pinnacle of world football.

From record-breaking goals and assists to groundbreaking innovations such as championship rings, the emergence of teenage stars, historic achievements by underdogs and milestones set by football legends, the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered a tournament unlike any before it. It not only crowned a new world champion but also rewrote the history books, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations.