Online Desk 

The countdown is nearly over for what is set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams, with the total number of matches increasing to 104. As a result, alongside the on-field battles, several long-standing records could also be rewritten.

Here are five major records that could come under threat during the tournament.

The record for the most World Cup match victories by a coach is still held by German legend Helmut Schön, who won 16 matches across four World Cups.

The closest challenger is France head coach Didier Deschamps, who currently has 14 World Cup victories. If France progresses beyond the group stage as expected, Deschamps could surpass Schön's record during this tournament.

With more teams and more matches, analysts believe the record for the highest number of goals scored in a single World Cup is likely to be broken.

The current record was set at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where 172 goals were scored. With 104 matches scheduled this time, the total could easily exceed 200 goals, especially in an era dominated by attacking football.

In the previous 22 editions of the World Cup, only seven players aged 40 or older had appeared in the tournament.

This time, however, eight players aged 40 or above are expected to be part of the competition, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Manuel Neuer, Edin Džeko, Fernando Muslera, and Guillermo Ochoa. If just two of them take the field, a new World Cup record will be set.

Germany’s Miroslav Klose remains the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.

The two biggest threats to that record are Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Messi has scored 13 World Cup goals, while Mbappé has 12. Either player could match or surpass Klose’s tally during the tournament.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Germany’s Thomas Müller made history by winning the Golden Boot at the age of 20.

Now, Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal could challenge that record. At just 18 years old, Yamal has already established himself as one of Europe’s brightest talents. Brazil’s Endrick and Germany’s Lennart Karl are also among the young stars attracting attention.

Not only the Golden Boot, but the record for the youngest winner of the Golden Ball could also be under threat.

With its expanded format, increased number of matches, and a blend of emerging stars and seasoned veterans, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already being described as a “World Cup of Records.”

As the action unfolds, football fans around the globe will be watching not only for trophies and glory but also to see whether a new chapter of history is written on the sport’s biggest stage.