Who are the World Cup record-holders?

Who are the World Cup record-holders?ByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistPublished4 June 2026Updated 13 July 2026Multiple footballing records were broken at the 2026 World Cup.Lionel Messi's eight goals in Argentina's opening six matches meant he became the first player in World Cup history to score 21 goals in the tournament.But France's Kylian Mbappe then became the overall top goalscorer in World Cup history as he eclipsed Messi with 22 goals.He produced a Golden Boot-winning return of 10 goals in eight games - setting another record in the process by becoming the first player to win the award twice, following his first-place finish in 2022.Germany also initially broke Brazil's mark for total goals scored by a nation in the history of the World Cup (243) following their 7-1 win over Curacao - only for the Selecao to end the tournament setting a new record four goals ahead of them (247).The 2026 contest held across the United States, Canada and Mexico was already a record-breaking tournament in terms of size.With 48 teams, it was comfortably the largest World Cup in history, introducing a 50% increase from the 32 teams that have participated since the 1998 World Cup in France.Here are the World Cup records that have been broken - and those that will likely be standing for years to come.Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formWhich nation has won the most World Cups?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lionel Messi holds the record for the most World Cup minutes played - but has lost his record for top scorerIn the 96-year history of the men's Fifa World Cup, just eight nations have won the tournament. Of those eight, seven have done it multiple times with Spain's victory over Argentina making them double winners and leaving England as the only one-time champions.Brazil hold the record for most World Cup wins with five, emerging victorious in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.Germany and Italy are the next most succes...