SANTO DOMINGO.– The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues its group stage with attention focused on Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday this Wednesday amid a historic campaign that has led him to break multiple records in the top football competition.
According to FIFA, the Argentine striker reached new records after his performances in the first matches of the tournament, consolidating himself as the all-time top scorer of the World Cups with 18 goals, in addition to equaling and surpassing records of figures such as Miroslav Klose, Pelé and Jairzinho.
The captain of the Argentine national team equaled the record for the most World Cups played by a player, with six appearances, a figure he also shares with Cristiano Ronaldo, and also became the footballer with the most matches won in the history of the tournament, extending his dominance in global statistics.
Furthermore, the Argentine star increased his number of goal involvements in World Cups and remains in the fight to become the tournament's all-time top assist provider, a record currently held by Pelé.
Messi breaks historic records at the 2026 World Cup
According to ESPN RD, Messi broke the record for most goals in World Cup history after his recent performances, surpassing historical records that had stood for decades in the tournament. He also extended his consecutive scoring streak in World Cups, equaling records set by legends like Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.
FIFA explained that the format of the 2026 World Cup, which includes a greater number of matches per team, has allowed the Argentine striker to extend his participation in statistical records, increasing the possibility of further expanding his historical records.
Messi and the fight for new records
According to Cadena Deporte TV, the Inter Miami player still maintains as his main objectives becoming the top assist provider in World Cup history and surpassing the record for goals in a single edition of the tournament, a record still held by Frenchman Just Fontaine.
However, the organization noted that the competition for these records remains open, with players like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who have also started the tournament with a high goal production.
Today's matches at the 2026 World Cup
FIFA announced the official schedule for Wednesday's matches in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, with games spread across three time slots and teams looking to secure their qualification for the next round .
| Cluster | Game | Hour |
|---|---|---|
| B | Switzerland vs Canada | 3:00 pm. |
| B | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar | 3:00 pm. |
| C | Morocco vs Haiti | 6:00 pm. |
| C | Scotland vs Brazil | 6:00 pm. |
| TO | South Africa vs South Korea | 9:00 pm. |
| TO | Czech Republic vs Mexico | 9:00 pm. |
According to the football federation, these matches are crucial within the group stage, as each victory adds three points, draws one point, and defeats none, in a system that defines qualification for the next round of the tournament.
The group stage of the 2026 World Cup remains open in most sectors, as teams seek to position themselves at the top of their respective groups to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Recommended readings:
