Oldest coach to attend World Cup
Otto Rehhagel (71 years old) set a record for the oldest coach to lead a team to a World Cup when he and the Greek national team participated in the 2010 tournament. However, this record is likely to be broken by Miroslav Koubek (74 years old) when he and the Czech national team participate in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Oldest player to score in World Cup knockout round
This record was set by Pepe (39 years old, Portuguese national team) in 2022. However, Ronaldo, Luka Modric (41 years old) and Edin Dzeko (40 years old) are facing a great opportunity to surpass Pepe when they and the national teams participate in the upcoming World Cup.
Youngest player to win World Cup Golden Ball
Brazilian striker Ronaldo was honored as the best player of the 1998 World Cup when he was only 21 years old. This record may be surpassed by bright young stars of world football such as Lamine Yamal (Spain), Desire Doue (France) or Nico Paz (Argentina) this year.
World Cup player with the most wins
Former German national team striker Miroslav Klose has had 17 wins at the World Cup. However, the possibility that he will be beaten by Messi is very high. The captain of the Argentine team has had 16 wins in this arena. More importantly, in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine team has many opportunities to win when they are in the same group with the Austrian, Jordanian and Algerian teams.
Goal record
Klose is currently the highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. However, currently there are 2 players who can break this milestone for him at the upcoming tournament, Messi (13 goals) and Mbappe (12 goals).
Clean sheet record
Peter Shilton (England) and Fabien Barthez (France) both had 10 matches without conceding a goal at the World Cup. However, Thibaut Courtois of the Belgian team can surpass this number when he has had 7 clean sheets. At the 2026 World Cup, the Belgian team is in the same group as the Egyptian, Iranian and New Zealand teams.
Goal from outside the penalty area
Rivellino of the Brazilian team has scored 5 goals at the World Cup in the area outside the 16m50 box. Lionel Messi can equalize and surpass this milestone when he has 4 goals from outside the penalty area. The captain of the Argentine team has scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria (World Cup 2014) and Mexico (World Cup 2022).
Player who played the most finals
Cafu of the Brazilian national team has participated in 3 World Cup finals in 1994, 1998 and 2002. The late legend Pele, although he has won the World Cup 3 times, did not play in the 1962 final due to injury. Mbappe and Messi can equal Cafu's record when they played 2 World Cup finals with France and Argentina.
World Cup participation record
Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado, Rafa Marquez, Lothar Matthaus, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Guillermo Ochoa all have 5 World Cup appearances. However, this record is almost certain to be broken when Ronaldo, Messi and goalkeeper Ochoa are aiming for their 6th appearance in this playground this year.
