World Cup 2026: Impressive numbers ahead of the kickoff

The 2026 World Cup has already made history before a ball has been kicked: for the first time, three countries will co-host (Canada, Mexico and the US), 104 matches will be played across 16 cities, and the format has expanded to 48 teams. FIFA has stated that the 3.5-million spectator record from the 1994 World Cup – also held in the US – could be broken, though slow ticket sales highlight significant challenges.

In tournament history, Brazil remains the most successful side with five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and is the only nation to have participated in every World Cup. Germany and Italy both have four titles, but only Germany can add to its tally this year, as Italy misses out for the third consecutive time. On an individual level, legend Pele still holds the record with three World Cup wins.

All-time top scorer: Miroslav Klose (Germany) with 16 goals in 24 appearances over four World Cups. He is followed by Ronaldo (Brazil, 15 goals), Gerd Muller (West Germany, 14), Just Fontaine (France, 13), Lionel Messi (Argentina, 13), Kylian Mbappe (France, 12) and Pele (12).

Most goals in a single tournament: Just Fontaine holds the record with 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Other notable scorers include Sandor Kocsis (Hungary, 11 goals in 1954), Gerd Muller (10 in 1970), Ademir (Brazil, 9 in 1950), Eusebio (Portugal, 9 in 1966), Guillermo Stabile (Argentina, 8 in 1930), Ronaldo (8 in 2002) and Kylian Mbappe (8 in 2022).

Youngest player in the tournament: Gilberto Mora (Mexico), aged 17 years 240 days as of the opening day 11 June. He became the youngest debutant for Mexico at age 16 (January 2025) and the youngest scorer in the Mexican league at 15 (August 2024). In total, 22 players under 20 are taking part.

Oldest player in the tournament: Craig Gordon (Scotland), aged 43 years 162 days. This is the goalkeeper's first World Cup since his national team debut in 2004. The all-time record remains Egypt's Essam El Hadary, who played at age 45 at the 2018 World Cup. Seven players are aged 40 or over, including Cristiano Ronaldo (41), Guillermo Ochoa (40), Manuel Neuer (40) and Luka Modric (40), all taking part in their fifth or sixth World Cup.

Debutant teams: Four nations are making their first appearance: Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Curacao – the largest number of debutants since 2006. A total of 891 players will be competing in a World Cup for the first time.

Richest player: Cristiano Ronaldo, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, thanks to sponsorship deals and his lucrative contract with Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia).

Most World Cup appearances: Lionel Messi has played 26 matches across five World Cups (2006–2022). He is followed by Lothar Matthaus (Germany, 25), Miroslav Klose (24), Paolo Maldini (Italy, 23) and Cristiano Ronaldo (22).

Youngest and oldest squads: Ivory Coast have the youngest average age (25.48 years), while Colombia are the oldest with 29.98 years.

Domestic-based players: Six teams – Cape Verde, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Curacao, Senegal and Uruguay – have no domestic-based players; their entire squads come from foreign leagues. In contrast, Qatar and Saudi Arabia each have 25 out of 26 players active in their domestic leagues.

Record prize money: FIFA has announced a prize fund of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup – sharply up from $440 million four years earlier. The champion will receive $50 million, with each team guaranteed at least $10.5 million.

Smallest nation: Curacao (population 158,000) is the smallest-ever team to qualify for a World Cup.

Nationality diversity: Players represent 71 different nationalities, with UEFA accounting for 35, AFC 14, CONMEBOL 8, CONCACAF 7, CAF 6 and OFC 1.

Clubs with most players: Manchester City lead with 19 players, followed by Bayern Munich (18), PSG and Arsenal (16), Barcelona (15), and a group of four teams with 12 each: Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Atletico Madrid and Al Hilal.