2026 World Cup expansion set to break multiple tournament records

The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches, creating conditions for numerous long-standing records to fall. Germany's legendary coach Helmut Schön holds the tournament record with 16 wins; France manager Didier Deschamps needs three more victories to surpass that figure. Among the individual records under threat, German striker Miroslav Klose's 16 goals and 17 match victories appear within reach. Argentina's Lionel Messi trails Klose by three goals and one win with his national team. France forward Kylian Mbappé sits four goals behind the all-time scoring record. Coaching milestones could also be rewritten. Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, set to lead Curaçao in the opening match against Germany, would break Otto Rehhagel's record as the oldest coach to manage at the World Cup. Rehhagel was 71 when he guided Greece in 2010. Portugal defender Pepe, at 39 the oldest scorer in knockout stages, could see his record challenged by veterans such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić and Edin Dzeko. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois needs three more clean sheets to match his own 10-match record. Brazilian midfielder Denílson's record of 11 substitutions across two tournaments may also face pressure, with England's Marcus Rashford among those approaching the mark.