Several reports note that the FIFA World Cup’s all-time goalscoring record has remained unchanged for more than a decade. With the 2026 tournament scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the record book could face a new challenge as two leading forwards—Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé—have the opportunity to add to their World Cup goal tallies. Both players are widely regarded as among the most prolific active scorers and could, in the course of the 2026 competition, move closer to or potentially surpass the current top mark for World Cup goals.
The sources frame the issue as a potential historical shift rather than a confirmed outcome, emphasizing that the existing record has not been broken in recent editions. The 2026 tournament therefore becomes a focal point for watching whether Messi and Mbappé can extend their careers’ impact at the World Cup and alter long-standing statistical milestones.
