11 hard-to-believe records and landmarks that have already been achieved at the World Cup

Can you believe it? We're not even two weeks into the 2026 World Cup and this summer's tournament has already delivered some history-making moments that will live long in the memory.

Of course, this is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, with four tournament debutants – Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan and Jordan – making their mark on the global stage.

There were initially doubts as to whether the smaller nations would fall short against top opposition, but Cape Verde swept away those concerns in their opener against European champions Spain.

Bubista's side produced one of the biggest World Cup shocks in recent memory, playing out a goalless draw thanks, in part, to the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha, who gets a worthy mention later on in this piece.

A few days later and the tiny nation of around 540,000 inhabitants became the first team on record to score their first World Cup goal from a direct free kick in their 2-2 draw against Uruguay.

So, what other hard-to-believe records have been broken at this summer's tournament in North America?

Netherlands are on the longest unbeaten run in World Cup history (nine wins, five draws)

"The Oranje" surpassed Brazil's record of 13 games unbeaten, which was set by a side featuring Pele, after recording a 5-1 win over Sweden on Saturday (June 20).

They last lost in the 2010 final to Spain. After that, their 2014 and 2022 tournaments ended by way of penalty shoot-outs.

Egypt secure their first-ever World Cup win

Between their first World Cup appearance in 1934 and the evening of June 22, 2026, Egypt played eight matches at the tournament without picking up a victory, drawing three and losing five.

But on Sunday night, Mohamed Salah and his teammates celebrated Egypt's first-ever World Cup victory after they recorded a 3-1 win over New Zealand.

Curacao goalkeeper who plays in America's second-tier delivers masterclass

Eloy Room delivered a memorable performance on Sunday (June 21), recording 15 saves against Ecuador, the most on record (since 1966) by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match that did not feature extra-time, as per Opta.

Room plays his club football for USL Championship side Miami FC.

Cape Verde make history with TWO records at 2026 World Cup

It has been a history-making tournament for Cape Verde. They became the first team on record to score their first World Cup goal from a direct free kick (since 1966) in their 2-2 draw against Uruguay on Sunday (June 21).

And a week earlier, in their hard-fought 0-0 draw against Spain, they conceded just one foul, which was the fewest by any team in a World Cup match on record.

Canada's goalfest against Qatar

Canada became the first team from outside of Europe and South America to score five or more goals in a World Cup match when they hammered Qatar in front of a sold-out crowd in Vancouver.

Jonathan David scored a hat-trick for Jesse Marsh's side, while Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and Mohammed Manai also found the scoresheet.

Fun fact: Canada's eight shots on target against Qatar were the most in the first half of a World Cup match since Romania in 1994 vs. Argentina.

Turkey go down in World Cup history books for all the wrong reasons

It has been a frustrating tournament for Turkey, who are yet to pick up a point in Group D following defeats against Paraguay and Australia.

They have struggled in front of goal. In fact, Vincenzo Montella's side have yet to score, despite attempting 62 shots in their first two matches, the most attempts without a goal in any two-match span in the competition on record.

Morocco go pass-crazy in win over Scotland

Mohamed Ouahbi's Morocco completed 601 passes in their 1-0 win over Scotland, the most by an African team in a World Cup match on record since 1966, according to Opta.

A tournament to remember for Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal

Just days after he became the first player on record to play the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match without touching the ball once, Mikel Oyarzabal became the third player to score/assist three goals in the opening half hour.

Oyarzabal's two goals and an assist against Saudi Arabia on Sunday (June 21) also meant that he is only the second player on record to score or assist three goals in the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match.

Vozinha has a record on his CV as well as millions of adoring fans

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha gained over 15 million followers on Instagram following his memorable display against Spain, after he broke a rather impressive record.

The 40-year-old is the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut after making seven saves in that match with the European champions.

Lionel Messi has still got it

At the age of 38 years and 357 days old, Lionel Messi became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match after netting a hat-trick against Algeria on Wednesday (June 17).

As a result, the Argentine surpassed former Cameroon striker Roger Milla, who was 38 years and 34 days when he scored a flurry of goals at the 1990 World Cup.