Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, it’s clear we’re about to witness a tournament unlike any other, not just because it’s being hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but because the format itself is completely changing.

We’re jumping from 32 to 48 teams, 64 to 104 matches. It’s historic, but it also means that the record books are about to get messy.

A few “unbreakable” records are going to fall simply because there’s more soccer to be played. That doesn’t take anything away from the players, but it does raise an important question: Should future records carry an asterisk?

With 40 extra games, the total number of goals scored will skyrocket past the current record of 172. Same with total attendance. U.S. stadiums are massive; some seat 80,000-plus, so the 1994 attendance record (also set in the U.S.) will almost certainly be shattered.

That’s not a surprise; it’s just math. More matches mean more everything. The challenge will be comparing stats across eras when the playing field, quite literally, isn’t the same. This has happened in other sports:

That all being said, there are some interesting records to follow, even with the increased tournament.

Miroslav Klose still sits on top of the all-time World Cup scoring list with 16 goals. But both Kylian Mbappé (12) and Lionel Messi (13) are within striking distance.

Mbappé will be 27 and in his prime; five goals could make him the new king. Messi would need four to tie, five to take the record outright, if he decides to come back for one last run.

It would be poetic, the old master rewriting history in his farewell tournament, but it also raises the inevitable debate: should a record set in a 104-match tournament be viewed the same way as one set in 64?

Messi and Ronaldo already share the record for most World Cups played (five). If either appears in 2026, they’ll become the first men ever to play in six. That’s a tribute to longevity more than expansion, an earned milestone that deserves every bit of respect.

And speaking of longevity, France’s Didier Deschamps is quietly closing in on a coaching record of his own. With another deep run, he could become the manager with the most World Cup matches and wins. That would cement his legacy as one of the most successful international coaches ever, no asterisk needed(and the French faithful can’t wait for him to step down so that Zidane can fill his shoes…)

Finally, the expanded field opens the door for this record to be reset: the youngest World Cup starter ever. The current record 17 years and 40 days has stood since 1982. With so many new nations and young talent entering the mix, don’t be surprised if that mark finally falls.
Everyone automatically thinks about Spain’s Lemin Yamal, but by the time he takes the pitch in June, he will already be nearly 19(his birthday would fall during the semi finals)

Yes, we’ll see history made in 2026. But not all history is created equal. Some of it will be pure brilliance: Mbappé chasing Klose, Messi’s possible farewell, Deschamps’ consistency. Either way, fans win. Just don’t be surprised when the record books of the future come with a little asterisk next to 2026.

Some additional records that might never be broken, no matter how many teams or games are played.

Watch out for the Atlas Lions!!!
Morocco is on fire, top to bottom. We all remember their epic run to the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup.
They have been unstoppable in World Cup Qualifying, going undefeated.

Their U20 team recently defeated Argentina 2-0 to win the U20 World Cup.

And, the U17 team just did this to New Caledonia…

The Atlas Lions fans will be ready for the World Cup next summer, and expectations will be sky high! And 4 years later, they will co-host…the future is bright!!

That is all for this week - super busy getting World Cup Fan Zone all built out and open for business.

Coming up next week:
- Next wave of teams will qualify - will break down who is in and how isn’t(yet)
- Pre-Draw group(s) of death - deep dive into the 12 groups

If you have any ideas that you would like me to include in future editions, please drop me a line at [email protected]

The man behind the curtain:

Oh, hi I’m Eric, a football fan and tech enthusiast who loves experimenting with new ideas and tools to build things people actually need (and hopefully enjoy).

I’m an American expat living in France an unabashed Mbappé and Bleu-Blanc-Rouge 🇫🇷 supporter, excited to see if France can extend their World Cup success… though definitely not looking forward to those 3 a.m. kickoffs