All-Time World Cup Records: The Numbers That Define Tournament History

Goalscoring Records

Klose: 16 All-Time Goals

Miroslav Klose scored across four World Cups (2002—2014), breaking Ronaldo's record of 15 in 2014. He is the only player to score at least four goals in four consecutive tournaments.

Fontaine: 13 in One Tournament

France's Just Fontaine scored 13 times in six games at the 1958 World Cup — a single-tournament record that has stood unchallenged for 65 years and counting.

Biggest Scoreline: Hungary 10-1 El Salvador

Hungary's 10-1 demolition of El Salvador in 1982 remains the largest margin of victory in World Cup history. The same tournament's Austria 7-5 Switzerland holds the record for most goals in one match.

Appearance Records

Matthaus: 25 Games

Germany's Lothar Matthaus appeared in 25 World Cup matches across five tournaments (1982—1998). Messi surpassed this in 2022 with 26 appearances, though different era comparisons apply.

Five-Tournament Club

Matthaus, Cafu, Buffon, Rafa Marquez and Messi all participated in five World Cups. Messi is the last active member of this exclusive group.

Team Records

Brazil: Five Titles

Brazil holds the record with five World Cup victories (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), ahead of Germany and Italy on four each.

Brazil's Perfect Record

Brazil is the only nation to have participated in every World Cup since the inaugural 1930 tournament — 22 consecutive appearances.