Last updated: 25 June 2026
The fastest goals in World Cup history
Only 13 players have ever scored inside the first minute of a World Cup match, according to ESPN. Here are the quickest goals on record, from kickoff to the back of the net.
| Player (Country) | Match & Year | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hakan Sükür (Türkiye) | vs South Korea, 2002 | 11 sec |
| Václav Masek (Czechoslovakia) | vs Mexico, 1962 | 15 sec |
| Ernest Lehner (Germany) | vs Austria, 1934 | 25 sec |
| Bryan Robson (England) | vs France, 1982 | 28 sec |
| Clint Dempsey (United States) | vs Ghana, 2014 | 30 sec |
| Bernard Lacombe (France) | vs Italy, 1978 | 31 sec |
| Arne Nyberg (Sweden) | vs Hungary, 1938 | 35 sec |
| Émile Veinante (France) | vs Belgium, 1938 | 35 sec |
| Pak Seung-zin (North Korea) | vs Portugal, 1966 | 50 sec |
| Flórián Albert (Hungary) | vs Bulgaria, 1962 | 50 sec |
A few of these stand out for context.
- Bryan Robson, 1982: His 28-second goal against France was for two decades widely quoted as the fastest in World Cup history, until Sükür’s 2002 strike — though Václav Masek’s 1962 goal was in fact quicker.
- Clint Dempsey, 2014: The United States captain scored after 30 seconds against Ghana, the fastest goal of the Brazil tournament, per ESPN.
- Ernest Lehner, 1934: His 25-second strike for Germany stood as the record for nearly 30 years.
Hakan Sükür’s 11-second strike
Hakan Sükür scored after 11 seconds in Türkiye’s third-place playoff against South Korea on 29 June 2002, per FIFA. The goal came straight from kickoff.
South Korea lost the ball deep in their own half under pressure from İlhan Mansız, who squared it for Sükür to finish low past the keeper. It broke a record that had stood for 40 years.
Türkiye went on to win the match 3–2 and finish third — their best-ever World Cup result. The previous record had belonged to Václav Masek of Czechoslovakia, who scored after 15 seconds against Mexico at the 1962 tournament, as ESPN notes.
Could the record fall at the 2026 World Cup?
It’s possible, but unlikely. Sükür’s 11 seconds has now survived five completed tournaments — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 — and is holding through a sixth.
The 2026 group stage has produced some quick goals, but nothing close to the record. On 20 June, Paraguay’s MatÃas Galarza struck after 65 seconds against Türkiye, just hours after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari scored in 71 seconds against Scotland — the two fastest of the tournament so far, per Yahoo Sports.
Both fell outside the all-time top 10, and as of 25 June 2026 Sükür’s record still stands. The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, with 48 teams playing 104 matches: more games than ever, and more chances for an early goal.
If you’re planning to travel for the knockout rounds, these are the main host cities to search flights for.
- United States: New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta and Seattle.
- Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
- Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.
You can compare fares for flights to New York or flights to Mexico City on Wego, and use the Wego flight tracker to check status before you fly.
Wherever you watch from, the advice is simple: don’t be late to your seat, or you might miss history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest goal in World Cup history?
Hakan Sükür of Türkiye scored after 11 seconds against South Korea in 2002. It remains the fastest goal in World Cup history.
Has anyone come close to breaking Sükür’s record?
Not really. The next-fastest is Václav Masek’s 15-second goal from 1962, four seconds slower than Sükür’s strike.
What is the fastest goal at the 2026 World Cup so far?
Paraguay’s MatÃas Galarza scored after 65 seconds against Türkiye on 20 June 2026. It is well short of Sükür’s 11-second record, which still stands.
What is the fastest goal in Women’s World Cup history?
Sweden’s Lena Videkull scored after 30 seconds against Japan in 1991. The record has stood since the first edition of the tournament.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It is the first edition hosted by three countries.
Sources
- Guinness World Records — Fastest goal in a FIFA World Cup match
- FIFA — Hakan Sükür: Fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history
- ESPN — Who scored the fastest goal in men’s World Cup history?
- Opta Analyst — The fastest goals in World Cup history
- Yahoo Sports — Galarza and Saibari deliver fastest goals of 2026 World Cup
- Guinness World Records — Fastest goal in Women’s World Cup competition
- FIFA — Fastest goals in Women’s World Cup history
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 hosts, cities and dates
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