Who has scored the most World Cup hat-tricks?
The record for most World Cup hat-tricks is two, and only four players have ever reached it. Opta Analyst’s official records show nobody has scored a third.
| Player | Hat-tricks | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) | 2 | Both at 1954, in consecutive games |
| Just Fontaine (France) | 2 | Both at 1958 |
| Gerd Müller (Germany) | 2 | Both at 1970, three days apart |
| Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) | 2 | 1994 and 1998 — only player across two editions |
One Batistuta quirk is hard to beat. Opta notes both his trebles came on 21 June, both against World Cup debutants, and both were completed from the penalty spot.
The first, the fastest and the rarest hat-tricks
The USA’s Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hat-trick in 1930, and three other records stand out from the decades since. Between them, they cover the fastest treble, the earliest one completed inside a match, and the only five-goal haul in tournament history.
| Record | Player (year) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| First World Cup hat-trick | Bert Patenaude (USA), 1930 | All three in a 3-0 win over Paraguay at the inaugural tournament in Uruguay. FIFA only formally credited Patenaude in 2006, having previously recognised Argentina’s Guillermo Stábile as the first. |
| Fastest hat-trick | László Kiss (Hungary), 1982 | Three goals in seven minutes and 42 seconds against El Salvador — and the only substitute ever to score a World Cup hat-trick. |
| Earliest treble within a match | Erich Probst (Austria), 1954 | Completed inside 24 minutes against Czechoslovakia, Opta confirms. It stood as the fastest World Cup treble for 72 years. |
| Most goals in a single match | Oleg Salenko (Russia), 1994 | Five goals against Cameroon — still the only five-goal game in World Cup history. |
Youngest and oldest hat-trick scorers
Pelé is the youngest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, and Lionel Messi is now the oldest. The two records sit more than 21 years apart, at opposite ends of a career.
- Youngest: Pelé, 17 years and 244 days old, in Brazil’s 1958 semi-final treble against France, per Opta Analyst.
- Oldest: Lionel Messi, 38 years and 357 days old, scoring against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup and overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2018 mark.
Hat-tricks at the 2026 World Cup so far
Three players have scored hat-tricks at the 2026 World Cup through the Round of 32, and all three came in the group stage. Lionel Messi, Jonathan David and Ousmane Dembélé have each reached the mark once, and none has a second yet.
| Player | Hat-trick details |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi (Argentina) | Hit his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City on 16 June, becoming the oldest hat-trick scorer in the tournament’s history. |
| Jonathan David (Canada) | Scored three in a 6-0 rout of Qatar in Vancouver on 18 June, the first hat-trick for a host nation since 1966. |
| Ousmane Dembélé (France) | Struck three times in the first 32 minutes as France beat Norway 4-1 in Boston on 26 June, the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. |
Messi’s Algeria treble first drew him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 career World Cup goals. A brace against Austria on 22 June took him clear, and a free-kick against Jordan in Dallas on 28 June extended his outright record to 19, with Argentina fans able to track the squad’s travel via Aerolíneas Argentinas flights.
- All-time scoring record: Messi’s 19 goals put him three clear of Klose and France’s Kylian Mbappé, who are tied on 16.
- Fastest 2026 hat-trick: Dembélé’s 32-minute treble against Norway is the quickest at a World Cup since Erich Probst’s 24-minute hat-trick in 1954; supporters following Les Bleus can check Air France routes for the rest of the run.
- Host-nation history: David’s 6-0 scoreline matched the biggest World Cup win by a host nation, alongside Italy (1934), Brazil (1950) and Argentina (1978); Canadian fans travelled in on Air Canada to see it live.
Knockout-stage hat-trick watch
No player has scored a hat-trick during the Round of 32, which runs from 28 June to 3 July 2026. The Round of 16 begins 4 July, giving Mbappé, Norway’s Erling Haaland and other contenders a fresh shot at a treble.
- Next chance: Argentina faces Cabo Verde in Miami on 3 July, Messi’s next opportunity to add to his tally.
- Planning to travel: compare flights to Vancouver, flights to Kansas City or flights to Boston, and browse hotels in Vancouver or hotels in Boston near the venues.
Country records and other oddities
Germany, counting its West Germany era, has produced more World Cup hat-tricks than any other nation. Opta Analyst’s full list counts seven, well clear of the chasing pack.
- Most in one tournament: Switzerland 1954 produced eight hat-tricks, the most of any single edition.
- Fewest in one tournament: Germany 2006 produced none at all.
- Rarest stage: Only two players have scored a hat-trick in a final — England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966, and France’s Kylian Mbappé in the 2022 final against Argentina.
Chasing this history around the 2026 host cities? Track live status on the Wego flight tracker, including routes on Lufthansa for German fans and Qatar Airways for those heading home early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has scored the most hat-tricks in World Cup history?
Four players share the record with two hat-tricks each: Sándor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, Gerd Müller and Gabriel Batistuta. Batistuta is the only one to do it at two separate tournaments.
Who scored the first World Cup hat-trick?
The USA’s Bert Patenaude, against Paraguay at the 1930 World Cup. FIFA only formally recognised it as the first in 2006.
Who is the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick?
Lionel Messi, at 38 years and 357 days, scoring against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup. He overtook Cristiano Ronaldo, who held the record from 2018.
How many career World Cup goals does Lionel Messi have?
Messi has 19 career World Cup goals after a free-kick against Jordan on 28 June 2026. That is the outright all-time men’s World Cup record, three clear of Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappé on 16.
Has any player scored a hat-trick in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds?
Not yet. All three of the tournament’s hat-tricks — Lionel Messi, Jonathan David and Ousmane Dembélé — came in the group stage, and none has been repeated through the Round of 32.
Who scored the fastest hat-trick at the 2026 World Cup?
Ousmane Dembélé, who scored three times in 32 minutes for France against Norway. It is the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history, behind Erich Probst’s 24-minute treble in 1954.
Sources
- Opta Analyst — FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks: The Facts
- Guinness World Records — Most FIFA World Cup hat-tricks by a player
- U.S. Soccer — Bert Patenaude Scores World Cup’s First-Ever Hat Trick
- Al Jazeera — Messi hat-trick fires holders Argentina to win over Algeria
- Al Jazeera — Lionel Messi scores brace as Argentina beat Austria 2–0
- ESPN — FIFA World Cup 2026 stats: Messi’s all-time record, Mbappé equals Klose
- ESPN — David hat trick helps Canada rout Qatar for first World Cup win
- NBC News — Jonathan David’s hat trick propels Canada past Qatar
- Al Jazeera — Dembélé scores hat-trick as France beat Norway 4-1
- Sky Sports — Dembélé scores first-half hat-trick as Les Bleus top Group I
- FIFA.com — Jordan v Argentina match report and highlights
- Al Jazeera — World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Biggest takeaways from the group stage
- Khel Now — List of all hat-tricks at FIFA World Cup 2026 so far
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
