World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already set records for being the grandest tournament to date – most host nations, most matches and organisers’ claims of record attendance.

For the first time in history, three nations will be hosting the global showpiece – Canada, Mexico and the United States – across 16 cities, catering to 104 matches. The tournament features an expanded 48-team format, up from 32 in previous iterations.

FIFA has repeatedly claimed that the “cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million” set at the 1994 edition of the World Cup, also hosted by the US, is on course to be surpassed during this year’s competition, though slow ticket sales suggest otherwise.

As fans await a new chapter of history to be written at the tournament, Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at key statistics from the World Cup through the years.

Brazil dominate with five World Cup wins and are the only team to feature at all editions of the tournament since 1930. Altogether, the Canarinhas have appeared in seven finals and 11 semifinals .

Germany and Italy are tied for four titles each, with only the former standing a chance to gain another this year after the Azzurri missed a third consecutive World Cup.

On an individual level, none other than Brazilian legend Pele holds the record for most World Cup wins in a career (1958, 1962, 1970). Teammates Bellini and Castilho joined him for the 1958 and 1962 editions, while Cafu helped Brazil lift the trophy in 1994 and 2002.

The German holds the lone distinction with 16 goals across four World Cups in 24 matches.