The 2026 World Cup is now within touching distance as excitement builds to what promises to be a blockbuster tournament in North America.
A historic high of 48 countries will be competing, bringing together established footballing powers and fresh faced debutants.
Below, we have analysed the statistics to bring you 10 team-related records that could be set this summer.
Team records you might see
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Argentina
- Argentina could make history by becoming the first country to win four consecutive major international tournaments.
Let’s start with holders Argentina, who arrive at World Cup 2026 chasing a series of records as they attempt to defend their crown.
First of all, Argentina have the opportunity to achieve an unprecedented run of four consecutive major international trophies, having lifted Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022, and Copa America again in 2024. If they were to add the 2026 World Cup, it would surpass Spain’s previous benchmark of three straight major honours between 2008 and 2012.
If successful, Argentina would become only the third country in history to win back-to-back World Cups, following Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962), taking their overall tally to four trophies alongside Italy and Germany – and one behind Brazil.
Argentina could also become only the third nation to reach 50 World Cup match wins. They currently sit on 47 wins, behind only Brazil (76) and Germany (68).
In addition, Argentina already hold the record for the most penalty shootout victories in World Cup history, with six.
Brazil
- Brazil will extend their unique record in 2026 by becoming the only country to have competed in all 23 World Cups.
When Brazil step out onto the pitch this summer, they will extend their record as the only nation to have featured in every World Cup tournament, with this set to be their 23rd appearance.
Across World Cup history, Brazil have played the most matches (114), accumulated the most victories (76), have the best win rate (66.67%), have scored the most goals (237), and, of course, lifted the most trophies (5) – all of which they can take to new heights this summer.
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti could also make history by becoming the first foreign manager to win the World Cup with a different national team.
England
- England could set a new record (60 years) for the longest gap between World Cup triumphs.
Eight different countries have lifted the World Cup, six of whom have gone on to win the tournament more than once. England (1966) and Spain (2010) remain the only one-time winners, meaning any success for the Three Lions in 2026 would end a 60-year wait for a second success.
That gap would comfortably surpass the current record for the longest interval between World Cup triumphs, which is held by Italy, who went 44 years between trophies in 1938 and 1982.
On a side note, England are top of one statistic board, having drawn (22) the most matches in World Cup history.
READ: One stat for every team at the 2026 World Cup
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Netherlands
- Netherlands could become the eighth country to score 100 World Cup goals.
Netherlands are still hunting for their first ever World Cup success, having agonisingly finished runners-up on three occasions, plus 3rd and 4th place finishes.
The Dutch may never have got their hands on the famous golden trophy, but they do have the third best win percentage (54.55%) of countries that have played over 30 World Cup matches – and the best % of any nation never to have won the tournament.
On the scoring front, Holland sit just short of a major milestone with 96 World Cup goals to their name. That places them within touching distance of the 100-goal mark, a landmark they could very realistically reach during the 2026 group stage when they face Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia in Group F.
Best World Cup Win Rates (30+ matches)
| Country | Matches | Wins | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 114 | 76 | 66.67% |
| Germany | 112 | 68 | 60.71% |
| Netherlands | 55 | 30 | 54.55% |
| Italy | 83 | 45 | 54.22% |
| France | 73 | 39 | 53.42% |
| Argentina | 88 | 47 | 53.41% |
| Portugal | 35 | 17 | 48.57% |
| Hungary | 32 | 15 | 46.88% |
| Spain | 67 | 31 | 46.27% |
| Poland | 38 | 17 | 44.74% |
A first non European/South American finalist/winner
- World Cup 2026 could produce the first finalist or winner from outside Europe and South America.
Europe (12 wins) and South America (10 wins) have dominated the 22 editions of the World Cup.
We are still waiting for a country from North America, Africa, Asia, or even Oceania to reach a World Cup final, let alone lift the trophy.
The United States recorded the best finish by a North American nation when they placed third at the inaugural World Cup in 1930. South Korea made history for Asia by reaching the semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, ultimately finishing 4th.
Africa’s greatest achievement came in 2022 when Morocco became the first nation from the continent to reach a World Cup semi-final, eventually ending the tournament in 4th place.
As for Oceania, Australia have produced the region’s strongest performances, reaching the last-16 in both 2006 and 2022.
World Cup 2026 offers the possibility of a historic breakthrough for a non-European or non-South American nation with a total of 26 competing in North America this summer.
World Cup trophies by continent
| Continent | World Cup Trophies |
|---|---|
| Europe | 12 |
| South America | 10 |
| North America | 0 |
| Africa | 0 |
| Asia | 0 |
| Oceania | 0 |
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Germany
- Germany (four) could draw level with Brazil’s tally of five World Cup trophies and also set a new record of reaching nine finals.
Germany haven’t been at their best in recent tournaments, exiting in the group stages in each of their last two World Cups since they lifted the trophy for a fourth time in 2014. They aren’t being discussed as major contenders but you’d be a fool to write them off.
There is still the chance for Germany to make history by equalling Brazil’s record of five World Cup triumphs. They currently sit on four titles alongside Italy, although the Italians have endured an even steeper decline, failing to qualify for any of the last three editions of the tournament.
Germany do hold the record for reaching the most World Cup finals (eight) and could become the first country to reach nine.
Scotland
- Scotland could qualify for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history – at the record ninth attempt.
Scotland will be back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years dating back to 1998. The Tartan Army have been drawn in a challenging group containing five-time winners Brazil and AFCON champions Morocco, but will hope to get off to a winning start against Haiti.
Scotland have played in eight World Cups but, frustratingly, have never managed to escape the group stages, which is an unwanted record they will hope to finally shrug off this summer.
Debuts, points and wins
- Four countries will be making their World Cup debuts, 10 nations go searching for their first point, and 12 are on the hunt for their first win.
Four countries will be making their World Cup debuts in 2026: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
Those four will join DR Congo, Qatar, Iraq, Haiti, Canada, and Panama in searching for their first ever World Cup point.
While all of the aforementioned 10 nations, plus Egypt and New Zealand, go hunting for their first ever win.
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Egypt
- Egypt could become the first country to play at four World Cups without winning a single game.
Speaking of Egypt, they are one of only three countries to have featured in three World Cups without ever recording a win, alongside Bolivia and Honduras. While the latter two did not qualify for the 2026 edition, Egypt have secured their place and will be looking to avoid an unwanted record of becoming the first country to appear in four World Cups without registering a single victory.
At the time of writing, Egypt’s overall record stands at seven matches played, with zero wins, two draws and five defeats.
USA, Canada, Mexico
- USA, Canada, and Mexico are long shots to become the first host nation to win the World Cup in the 21st century.
The chances of any of the three 2026 co-hosts lifting the World Cup are relatively slim on paper, with the USA priced at 66/1, Mexico at 80/1, and Canada further out at 250/1.
Mexico, despite their strong footballing history, hold the record for the most World Cup defeats overall (28), while Canada are among a small group of nations to have played at least six matches in the tournament without registering a win.
Yet, this summer does provide the three countries with a long shot of an opportunity to become the first host nation to win the World Cup in the 21st century. France were the sixth and most recent to do so on home soil back in 1998.
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