The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially become the highest-scoring World Cup in over five decades. Following the conclusion of the semi-finals, a total of 298 goals have been scored across 102 matches, producing an impressive average of 2.92 goals per game.

No FIFA World Cup since 1970 has matched that level of attacking football. The last tournament to produce a higher scoring average was the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where teams averaged 2.97 goals per match. Regardless of the outcome of the remaining fixtures, the 2026 edition is guaranteed to finish ahead of every World Cup staged since then. The next closest remains the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, which averaged 2.81 goals per game.

The tournament's remarkable attacking quality is also reflected in the race for the Golden Boot. Never before in FIFA World Cup history have the top three goalscorers each reached at least seven goals before the tournament's conclusion. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé currently lead the standings with eight goals apiece, while Erling Haaland sits close behind with seven, setting up a thrilling finish to one of the greatest scoring races the competition has ever seen.