Three Hat-Tricks in Just 10 Days – 2026 FIFA World Cup Off to a Goal-Filled Start

XtraTime Web Desk: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has exploded into life with an extraordinary goal-scoring spectacle. Within the first 10 days of the tournament, fans have witnessed three hat-tricks—a rare feat in World Cup history. It is the first time since the 1986 FIFA World Cup that three different players have scored hat-tricks so early in the competition, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament.

The first hat-trick came on June 17, when Lionel Messi produced a brilliant three-goal performance for Argentina against Algeria, adding yet another remarkable chapter to his legendary career. A day later, on June 18, Canada's Jonathan David stole the spotlight with a clinical hat-trick against Qatar. The third came on June 26, as Ousmane Dembélé fired France to victory over Norway with three superb goals. Three hat-tricks in the space of just 10 days have underlined the attacking quality and excitement on display at this World Cup.

The statistics make the achievement even more impressive. The 1986 FIFA World Cup witnessed a total of four hat-tricks. From 1990 to 2022, across nine editions of the tournament, six World Cups produced two hat-tricks each, two editions saw only one hat-trick, while the 2006 FIFA World Cup passed without a single hat-trick.

By comparison, the start of the 23rd FIFA World Cup in 2026 has been truly exceptional. With three hat-tricks already recorded in just 10 days, the obvious question is whether this remarkable trend will continue. Can the tournament surpass the 1986 record of four hat-tricks? Is it even possible that fans could witness as many as six hat-tricks within the first 20 days?

Only time will provide the answer. What is already certain, however, is that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become a grand stage for goals, excitement, and individual brilliance. If the current momentum continues, this edition could earn a special place in football history—not only for its thrilling matches but also for its record-breaking number of hat-tricks.

Statistics: Hariprasad Chattopadhyay