Messi breaks World Cup record in 2026, Ronaldo scores across six different tournaments

Group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes

According to Главком: The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially wrapped up after 72 matches. During the tournament, Lionel Messi set a new all-time record for most goals scored in World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous mark. Cristiano Ronaldo also etched his name into the record books, becoming the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match and the first player to score in six different editions of the tournament.

Group stage results

Following the group stage, Turkey and Uruguay were eliminated from the competition. Additionally, teams such as South Korea, Czech Republic, and Scotland failed to advance to the knockout rounds. Haiti, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, and Panama each lost all three of their matches without recording a single victory.

Three teams advanced to the Round of 32 with perfect records: France, Argentina, and Mexico. Canada finished second in Group B, while the United States topped Group D. France head coach Didier Deschamps set a new record for most World Cup wins by a manager, securing his 17th victory and surpassing the previous record held by Helmut Schön.

• Eliminated teams: Turkey, Uruguay, South Korea, Czech Republic, Scotland
• Teams with perfect records advancing to the Round of 32: France, Argentina, Mexico
• Canada: runner-up in Group B
• United States: winner of Group D

It is also worth noting that FIFA has allowed the Russian youth team to participate in the Under-15 World Cup, which will take place in Azerbaijan this autumn. The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now history, and a photo gallery summarizing the three rounds of action is available in the Glavkom article.

The conclusion of the 2026 World Cup group stage marked a significant milestone in the tournament's history, largely due to the achievements of stars like Messi and Ronaldo. The elimination of several traditionally strong teams highlights the growing level of competition on the international stage. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect thrilling matches, and the records set during the group stage only add to the excitement for the rounds ahead.

As the tournament progresses, the spotlight remains on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has also made headlines by breaking a significant World Cup record during the second matchday. To learn more about his remarkable achievement and how it contributes to the ongoing narrative of the tournament, check out the full details in our article on Ronaldo's historic feat.