FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, has set a new all-time scoring record with 173 goals scored so far in the tournament. This milestone surpasses the previous record of 172 goals set during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Infantino Celebrates Record-Breaking Achievement
In a post shared on Instagram, Infantino wrote, "173 goals and counting - a new record in FIFA World Cup history! Surpassing the previous highest of 172 goals from Qatar underscores the excitement and attacking prowess that have already made the 2026 @fifaworldcup so unforgettable." He credited the attacking style of play and finishing quality of players for the milestone, congratulating all goal scorers involved in the tournament. "Congratulations to all the goalscorers and looking forward to many more goals as we move towards the final on Sunday, 19 July in New York New Jersey," he added.
High-Scoring Tournament Continues
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup has delivered high-scoring encounters as teams compete for a place in the knockout stages. The record-breaking tally reflects the offensive approach adopted by many teams, leading to an average of over 2.5 goals per match so far.
Cristiano Ronaldo Makes History
Earlier on Tuesday, Infantino also congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo on becoming the first player in history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments. Ronaldo achieved the feat when he scored his first goal of the ongoing World Cup 2026 during Portugal's 5-0 win in their Group K clash against Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium. In a post on Instagram, Infantino said, "What an incredible achievement!! Congratulations to @cristiano on becoming the first player to score in six FIFA World Cups. My best wishes for the rest of the tournament. What an incredible feat!!"
Tournament Context and Impact
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, has expanded the number of matches and opportunities for goals. The previous record of 172 goals in Qatar 2022 was set during a 32-team tournament with 64 matches. The current tally of 173 goals with knockout stages still to come indicates that the final total could be significantly higher. Infantino's remarks highlight the tournament's success in delivering entertaining football and showcase the global appeal of the sport.
