Goal-scoring ratio in first-round FIFA World Cup matches breaks 68-year-old record

KARACHI: The opening round of the FIFA World Cup 2026, comprising 24 matches, has thus far seen 75 goals being scored, with the ratio per game standing at 3.125, the highest ever recorded in the first set of group fixtures since 1958.

According to the tournament statistics, a total of 600 shots were registered in the opening phase of the 48-team tournament, out of which 200 were on target, with Turkiye's Arda Guler being the most active shooter as he registered eight attempts on goal.

Out of the 75 goals netted thus far, 2014 champions Germany lead the scoring chart with seven strikes, while Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi dominates the individual ranks with three goals, all of which came in the defending champions' 3-0 triumph over Algeria.

The tournament statistics further shared that a total of 22,520 passes have been attempted so far, of which 19,264 were completed successfully, with 2010 champions Spain emerging as the most possession-oriented team, recording 811 passes — the highest tally by any side in the mega event.

Notably, despite their inability to score in the month-long tournament, Turkiye, who are featuring in their first FIFA World Cup since finishing third in the 2002 edition, have led the attacking charts with 30 shots in one game – their campaign opener against Australia, which, however, they lost 2-0.

Two-time champions Uruguay, on the other hand, registered the highest tally of corners in a single match of the ongoing mega event thus far, 42, besides earning 14 corners in a single fixture, another tournament-best mark.

Overall, 205 corners and 72 offsides have been recorded during the first phase of the competition, while the referees have shown 52 yellow cards across the opening 24 matches and three reds, all of which were given in the ill-mannered curtain raiser between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

Furthermore, Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo leads the tournament in successful dribbles, while Germany's Joshua Kimmich has stood out as one of the competition's leading playmakers with two assists.