Features from the archive

The Argentina players throw Lionel Messi in the air following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

FIFA World Cup 2026™

The creation king

FIFA looks at Argentina’s Lionel Messi setting up a goal in a sixth World Cup, doubling the previous record shared by Pele, Grzegorz Lato and Diego Maradona.

FIFA World Cup™

Youngest World Cup-winning players

See a ranked list of the youngest players to become FIFA World Cup™ champions.

Sport, Football, pic; 30th July 1966, 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley, England 4 v West Germany 2 a,e,t, England's Geoff Hurst scores 4th goal as West Germany's Wolfgang Overath can only watch. (Photo by Bentley Archive/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup™

Hurst heroics settle controversial classic

FIFA recalls England’s exhilarating 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

FIFA World Cup™

FIFA World Cup all-time leading scorers

Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Gerd Muller and Just Fontaine among the many greats to feature.

Bukayo Saka of England celebrates scoring a penalty with teammate Jude Bellingham (L) and Reece James during the bronze final match between France and England

FIFA World Cup™

Highest-scoring games in World Cup history

See a ranked list of the FIFA World Cup™ matches with the most goals.

Highest-scoring teams in one World Cup

See a ranked list of the nations who scored the most goals in one edition of the FIFA World Cup™.

David Beckham (left) of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the England v Argentina, Group F, World Cup Group Stage match played at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Japan on June 7, 2002. England won the match 1-0.

2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™

Beckham’s redemption strike

David Beckham’s red card had facilitated Argentina’s elimination of England at France 1998, but the winger exacted revenge at Korea/Japan 2002.

The France squad celebrate with the World Cup trophy after winning the tournament for the first time in their history, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Brazil in Paris.

FIFA World Cup™

The breakthrough Bleus in numbers

A slot machine, a poll, golf and motor racing feature as FIFA highlights the stats behind France's conquering of their first FIFA World Cup in 1998.

Bildnummer: 00986021 Datum: 11.07.1982 Copyright: imago/Sven Simon
Torwart Dino Zoff (Italien) am kurzen Pfosten; Länderspiel, Vdia, quer, close, Torhüter, Keeper, konzentriert Weltmeisterschaft 1982, Nationalmannschaft, Nationalteam, Nationaltrikot, Finale, Endspiel Madrid Konzentration, Fußball WM Herren Mannschaft Einzelbild Aktion Personen

FIFA World Cup™

Zoff: Lifting the World Cup sends shivers down your spine

The captain of Italy’s World Cup winning team in 1982 looks back on their unexpected path to glory in Spain.

FIFA World Cup™

Teams with biggest gap between successive World Cup participations

See a ranked list of nations who returned to the FIFA World Cup™ after the longest time away.

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™

The Secretary of Defense

FIFA recalls a preposterous performance from USA goalkeeper Tim Howard against Belgium at Brazil 2014, which set a new record for saves in a World Cup game.

FIFA World Cup™

World Cup Classics: Revisiting the last time Belgium met USA

Ahead of Monday's mouthwatering last-16 clash in Seattle, FIFA looks back on an epic match between the two nations in Brazil in 2014.

FIFA World Cup™

Fastest goals by substitutes in World Cup history

See a ranked list of the quickest goals from substitutes in FIFA World Cup history.

FIFA World Cup™

Oldest World Cup-winning players

See a ranked list of the oldest players to become FIFA World Cup™ champions.

FIFA World Cup™

England players with most World Cup appearances

See a ranked list of the Englishmen to have played the most games in the FIFA World Cup™.

GWANGJU - JUNE 2: Iker Casillas of Spain in action during the Spain v Slovenia, Group B, World Cup Group Stage match played at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium in Gwangju, South Korea on June 2, 2002. Spain won the the match 3-1. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup™

Spain players with most World Cup appearances

See a ranked list of the Spaniards to have played the most games in the FIFA World Cup™.

FIFA World Cup™

Father and sons who went to the World Cup as players

See a list of every father and son to have been at the FIFA World Cup as players.

FIFA World Cup™

Highest-scoring Frenchmen in World Cup history

See a ranked list of the France players with the most FIFA World Cup™ goals.

FIFA World Cup™

Messi’s historic double

FIFA recounts how Lionel Messi became the only two-time adidas Golden Ball winner.

FIFA World Cup™

Milutinovic the miracle worker

Every Monday, FIFA spotlights a World Cup record. This instalment is focused on a legendary coach who guided four different sides to the knockout rounds.