FIFA World Cup 2026 stats: Ronaldo breaks Messi's WC record; England's unlucky 13
espn.com
The 2026 World Cup's emerging stats — from substitute goal rates to record-breaking appearances — reveal how marginal gains and roster depth are reshaping tournament strategy.
Marginal Gains TheorySurvivorship BiasHot Hand FallacyGame Theory
Theory Briefing
- Substitutes have scored 30 of 140 World Cup goals so far, a 21.4% rate that signals how bench depth now shapes tournament outcomes.
- Ronaldo has broken Messi's World Cup appearance record, a milestone that reframes the long-running GOAT debate through the lens of longevity over peak performance.
- England's 'unlucky 13' stat highlights how narrative and superstition can color the interpretation of cold tournament data.