Own goals at 2026 World Cup near record pace after group stage

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has recorded seven own goals through the second round of group matches, placing the tournament on pace to challenge the all-time record of 12 set at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, according to Opta statistics. The most recent own goal came in the 11th minute of the United States–Australia match, when Cameron Burgess turned the ball into his own net to give the host Americans an early lead. With only two rounds of group play completed, the figure ranks the 2026 tournament as the second-highest in World Cup history for own goals scored at this stage. The 2018 edition remains the benchmark with 12. Organizers and statisticians have noted a rise in defensive errors during the expanded 48-team format, which features more matches in the early rounds than previous tournaments. With knockout stages still to come, the total is expected to rise further, though no official projection has been issued. No further details on the statistical trend were immediately available from tournament officials.