Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe 2026 World Cup has seen a lot of goals. We mean A LOT of goals.With an extended format, that was maybe to be expected, but players have scored multiple braces, even hat-tricks at an alarming rate in Canada, Mexico and the United States.But what exactly is the record for the most goals in a single World Cup?Who has scored the most goals in a single World Cup?Lionel Messi recently became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, and even pulled away with a brace against Austria, but his 18 strikes have come across five tournaments, including seven in 2022, and five so far in 2026.He narrowly misses out on this list, but it begs the question, who does make the list? You may like All-time World Cup top scorers Top scorers in World Cup history Why are players scoring so many goals at the 2026 World Cup? = 5. Guillermo Stabile (8), 1930In the first ever World Cup, Guillermo Stabile was undeniably the star.He failed to score in Argentinas opening game, but then scored in every game until the final, with his strike only ending up as a consolation as they were beaten by hosts Uruguay.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Remarkably he remains on this list almost 100 years later.= 5. Ronaldo Nazario (8), 2002A man made for the big occasion, Ronaldo Nazario lit up the 2002 World Cup.He scored in every game apart from the quarter-final against England (we all remember what happened there) and was incredibly unlucky to not win the player of the tournament following a brace in the final to win Brazil a fifth star. What to read next Mbappe World Cup goals: How many does the Frenchman need to overtake Lionel Messi? Ranked! The 15 greatest World Cup goals youve probably forgotten Lionel Messi broke two more World Records vs Austria tonight = 5. Kylian Mbappe (8), 2022Kylian Mbappe is undeniably a World Cup icon already. He became just the second teenager ever to score in the final in 2018 and the second ever player to score a hat-trick in the final in 2022.That hat-trick took him to eight goals, which lands him a place on this list. His five before the final was already impressive, but his performance in the final will go down in history.He is already on half that tally in just three games at this years tournament, and should he reach the final hell have five more games to play to try and beat that tally.= 4. Ademir (9), 1950Ademir lit up a home World Cup in Brazil alongside Zizinho and Jair.He scored the first ever competitive game at the world renowned Maracana, which is ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the best stadiums in the world, in the opening game of the tournament against Mexico, but wasnt able to win the trophy.The 1950 World Cup was his one and only appearance at the World Cup.= 4. Eusebio (9), 1966Up until recently, Eusebio was Portugals highest scorer of all-time at the World Cup.His nine goals in the 1966 edition, which was played in England (anyone know what happened in the final?), were the only goals he ever scored at the World Cup, but shot him to international fame.Cristiano Ronaldo (obviously) overtook him with his brace against Uzbekistan, but his haul has come across six different tournaments, whereas Euesbio managed all of his in a single tournament.3. Gerd Muller (10), 1970An old school bagsman, Gerd Muller was never going to be far away from a list of top goalscorers.In 1970 he managed two hat-tricks in the tournament, on his way to 10 goals overall in Mexico.Muller was prolific for Germany, scoring 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany.2. Sandor Kocsis (11), 1954Many people will be unaware of Hungarys golden era in the 1950s. They went on an unbelievable 32 game unbeaten run that was only ended in the 1954 World Cup final by West Germany.Sandor Kocsis was a key part of this, scoring 11 times in Switzerland.Each game he scored in included multiple goals, including a four goal haul against eventual winners West Germany in the group stage.1. Just Fontaine (13), 1958Just Fontaine played in just one World Cup and until recently was the joint fourth highest scorer in the tournament's history.In 1958 he scored an incredible 13 goals in just one World Cup tournament, which included a hat-trick and four goal haul in the third-place play-off.Perhaps even more remarkably, his first game in the World Cup was only the third time hed ever played for Les Bleus, and he only went on to make 21 appearances for France, scoring 30 times.TOPICSJust FontaineRonaldo Nazrio de LimaKylian MbappeFranceHungaryGermanyWest GermanyPortugalBrazilArgentinaEwan GenneryFreelance writerEwan is a freelance writer and social media manager who has worked for The Athletic, GOAL, 90min and OneFootball. From Gelsenkirchen to Riyadh, he has covered some of the biggest games in football in his three years in the industry.
