2 Jun 2026 19:58 BST |
2 min read
The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching with the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe all looking to star in North America.
The 2022 edition in Qatar saw a host of stars looking to add to and break records as Argentina lifted thir
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved many accolades during his career for club and country and the Portugal star made history in Qatar by scoring in his fifth World Cup – the first player to ever do so.
The Al-Nassr star could extend his record if he nets in the 2026 edition, with only four other players having scored in four World Cups.
Which players have scored in the most World Cup tournaments?
| Player | Country | Total number of goals | Number of tournaments scored in (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 8 | 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 13 | 4 (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) |
| Uwe Seeler | Germany | 9 | 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970) |
| Pele | Brazil | 12 | 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970) |
| Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) |
Klose is the World Cup’s all-time top goalscorer, achieving the record by edging out Brazil’s Ronaldo when he scored his 16th goal in his final tournament in 2014, having netted in every edition since his first in 2002.
Pele and Seeler both shared the stage between 1958 and 1970, scoring in all four tournaments, however the Brazilian’s 12 goals is three more than the German managed.
Lionel Messi could have matched Ronaldo’s record but the Inter Miami star failed to score in the 2010 World Cup, meaning he can only equal Ronaldo’s five-tournament haul if he scores in 2026 and Ronaldo fails to net.
There are a multitude of players who have netted in three tournaments, but Ivan Perisic and Neymar are the only players who could feature at the 2026 tournament and score for a fourth World Cup.
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