The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached a major milestone, becoming the second-fastest edition to 100 goals scored. This achievement comes after Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo scored against Sweden, marking the 100th goal in just 33 games. The fastest edition to reach this milestone was the 1954 World Cup, where 100 goals were scored in 20 matches.
Several factors could be contributing to the high number of goals, including the Adidas Trionda ball, which has been troublesome for goalkeepers. More than 10 goals have been scored from outside the box, and keepers' fumbles in the box have also contributed to the tally.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson noted that the ball has not behaved as expected on occasion, similar to the Jabulani ball used in the 2010 World Cup, which received criticism from players and coaches.
The high-scoring matches so far include Germany beating Curacao 7-1, Canada beating Qatar 6-0, and the Netherlands beating Sweden 5-1. England's Euro 2022 winner Ellen White attributed the high-scoring matches to the compact and tactically tight games, while former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank suggested that the increased number of teams and lower-ranked sides may have had a small impact on the quality of the games.
