World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records

Published 7 June 2026 · sports

The 2026 World Cup has already set records for the most host nations, most matches, and highest prize money. Click here to share on social

The 2026 World Cup has already set records for the most host nations, most matches, and highest prize money. Click here to share on social media The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already set records for being the grandest tournament to date – most host nations, most matches and organisers’ claims of record attendance. For the first time in history, three nations will be hosting the global showpiece – Canada, Mexico and the United States – across 16 cities, catering to 104 matches. The tournament features an expanded 48-team format, up from 32 in previous iterations. FIFA has repeatedly claimed that the “cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million” set at the 1994 edition of the World Cup, also hosted by the US, is on course to be surpassed during this year’s competition, though slow ticket sales suggest otherwise. As fans await a new chapter of history to be written at the tournament, Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at key statistics from the World Cup through the years. Who’s won the most titles? ⚽️ Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) Brazil dominate with five World Cup wins and are the only team to feature at all editions of the tournament since 1930. Altogether, the Canarinhas have appeared in seven finals and 11 semifinals. Germany and Italy are tied for four titles each, with only the former standing a chance to gain another this year after the Azzurri missed a third consecutive World Cup. On an individual level, none other than Brazilian legend Pele holds the record for most World Cup wins in a career (1958, 1962, 1970). Teammates Bellini and Castilho joined him for the 1958 and 1962 editions, while Cafu helped Brazil lift the trophy in 1994 and 2002.

Which player has scored the most World Cup goals ever? ⚽️ Miroslav Klose (16 goals) The German holds the lone distinction with 16 goals across four World Cups in 24 matches. Others on the illustrious list include Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals in 19 matches across four World Cups Gerd Muller (West Germany) – 14 goals in 13 matches across two World Cups Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals in six matches in one World Cup Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 13 goals in 26 matches across five World Cups Kylian Mbappe (France) – 12 goals in 14 matches across two World Cups Pele (Brazil) – 12 goals in 14 matches across four World Cups Which player has scored the most goals at a single World Cup? ⚽️ Just Fontaine (13 goals) The Frenchman scored a whopping 13 goals in six games at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Other top scorers include Sandor Kocsis (Hungary), 1954 World Cup – 11 goals Gerd Muller (West Germany), 1970 World Cup – 10 goals Ademir (Brazil), 1950 World Cup – 9 goals Eusebio (Portugal), 1966 World Cup – 9 goals Guillermo Stabile (Argentina), 1930 World Cup – 8 goals Ronaldo (Brazil), 2002 World Cup – 8 goals Kylian Mbappe (France), 2022 World Cup – 8 goals Who is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup? ⚽️ Gilberto Mora (17 years and 240 days at tournament opener on June 11) In January 2025, Mora was the youngest to make his senior international debut for Mexico, aged 16. In August 2024, he was the youngest to start and score in the Mexican first division at age 15. There are 22 players aged below 20 years at the tournament. Who is the oldest player at the 2026 World Cup?