Soccer

2026 FIFA World Cup to Feature 48 Teams Across North America

FOX Sports app to deliver live coverage as early goal tallies highlight emerging stars

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a milestone as the 23rd edition of the global tournament, expanding to a record 48 national sides.

Early Goal and Assist Leaders

Broadcasters have secured a digital hub for fans, with the FOX Sports app providing live scores, highlights, commentary and full‑match replays throughout the event.

Norway’s Erling Haaland has already found the net seven times in just four appearances, while France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi each sit on seven goals, the latter in only four games.

England’s Harry Kane leads the assist chart with six goals in five matches, but the creative load is also being shared by players such as Bruno Guimarães of Brazil, Ismaïla Sarr of Senegal, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Alexander Isak of Sweden and Michael Olise of France, each contributing multiple assists.

Midfielders and playmakers are also making noise: France’s Martin Ødegaard has provided three assists in four games, while Sweden’s Alexander Isak rounds out the early assist leaders with three helpers in four appearances.

With the tournament still months away, analysts expect the statistical trends to evolve, but the current goal and assist leaders suggest a tournament that could be defined by prolific attacking talent.

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