The 2026 World Cup broke the record for the most goals scored in a single tournament during the Group D match between the United States and Turkey on June 25. Auston Trusty's opening goal in that match was the 173rd of the tournament, surpassing the previous record of 172 goals set at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [1, 2, 3, 4].
Following Trusty's goal, Turkey scored two more goals in the first half, pushing the tournament total to at least 175 goals by that point [1, 2]. By the end of the match on June 26, the total goals scored in the 2026 World Cup reached 177 [3, 4].
This record-breaking scoring spurt occurred during the 59th match of the expanded 2026 tournament. The 2026 World Cup features 104 matches, 40 more than the 64 played in 2022, reflecting FIFA's expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 [1, 2, 3, 4].
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the new record "a testament to the excitement and attacking prowess" displayed so far. He said on social media, "Surpassing the previous highest of 172 goals from Qatar underscores the excitement and attacking prowess that have already made the 2026 @fifaworldcup so unforgettable" [1]. Similar statements were issued in Chinese on official FIFA channels [3, 4].
The 2026 World Cup will continue through its full schedule of matches, with the increased number of teams and games driving more opportunities for goals. The heightened scoring pace sets new benchmarks for offensive performance in the tournament's history.
