The 2026 FIFA World Cup has broken the record for most goals in an edition, surpassing the previous edition’s total.
In its 59 matches so far, the tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, has scored 173 goals, while the 2022 Qatar World Cup had 172.
The increase in the number of goals is due to the expanded nature of the World Cup with 48 teams, with the number of matches increasing from 64 to 104.
The 2026 edition exceeded the 2022 targets in the group stage alone.
Number of goals per World Cup
1930 – 70 goals in 18 games
1934 – 70 goals in 17 games
1938 – 84 goals in 18 games
1950 – 88 goals in 22 games
1954 – 140 goals in 26 games
1958 – 126 goals in 35 games
1962 – 89 goals in 32 games
1966 – 89 goals in 32 games
1970 – 95 goals in 32 games
1974 – 97 goals in 38 games
1978 – 102 goals in 38 games
1982 – 146 goals in 52 games
1986 – 132 goals in 52 games
1990 – 115 goals in 52 games
1994 – 141 goals in 52 games
1998 – 171 goals in 64 games
2002 – 161 goals in 64 games
2006 – 147 goals in 64 games
2010 – 145 goals in 64 games
2014 – 171 goals in 64 games
2018 – 169 goals in 64 games
2022 – 172 goals in 64 games
2026 – 173 goals in 59 matches*
Published on June 26, 2026
