2026 FIFA World Cup sets attendance and scoring records
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co‑hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches. A total of 280 goals were scored, raising the average to 2.92 per game – the highest since the 1970 tournament. Lionel Messi led the scoring chart with eight goals, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each netted seven, marking the first time three players have scored seven or more goals in a single World Cup. Mbappé also set a new record with 11 goals in qualification, the most ever. Argentina recorded the most shots (3,446) and passes (3,146 successful). Stadiums operated at 99.7% capacity, with more than 4.4 million spectators in the group stage and about 6.2 million across the knockout rounds, averaging over 65 000 fans per match, the second‑highest attendance in World Cup history. Belgian captain Jan Tijlemans covered the greatest total distance (61.8 km) and teammate Timothy Castan ran 16.29 km in a single match. Digital engagement was unprecedented, with tournament videos viewed over 20 billion times. The event also featured milestone moments such as Enzo Fernández’s 3,000th World Cup goal and the rapid sprint speed of Mbappé at 37.6 km/h.