The FIFA World Cup has always been football's greatest stage for unforgettable individual performances. Few achievements capture the imagination quite like a hat-trick.
From Geoff Hurst's iconic treble in the 1966 final to Kylian Mbappe becoming only the second player to score three goals in a World Cup final in 2022, World Cup hat-tricks remain among football's rarest accomplishments.
Yet FIFA World Cup 2026 has already become one of the greatest tournaments for individual goalscoring displays.
Bukayo Saka's hat-trick against France in England's dramatic 6-4 victory in the third-place playoff means the tournament has now produced four hat-tricks, drawing level with the 1938, 1982 and 1986 editions as the joint second-most prolific World Cups for trebles.
With the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina still to come, there remains the possibility of even more history being written.
Every FIFA World Cup 2026 Hat-Trick So Far
Four players have now etched their names into World Cup history.
Lionel Messi (Argentina 3-0 Algeria)
The first hat-trick of the tournament belonged to none other than Lionel Messi.
The Argentine captain scored in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to inspire a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria during the group stage.
It was another landmark achievement in a World Cup career already filled with unforgettable moments.
Jonathan David (Canada 6-0 Qatar)
Canada forward Jonathan David became the second player to score a hat-trick at the tournament.
His goals in the 29th minute, first-half stoppage time and 90+2nd minute helped Canada record a commanding 6-0 victory over Qatar.
It was also one of the biggest wins of the group stage.
Ousmane Dembele (France 4-1 Norway)
France winger Ousmane Dembele completed the latest hat-trick of the tournament.
Dembele struck in the 7th, 20th and 32nd minutes as France defeated Norway 4-1 to maintain their perfect record heading into the knockout rounds.
It was one of the fastest hat-tricks ever scored by a French player at the World Cup.
Bukayo Saka (England 6-4 France)
Bukayo Saka became the latest player to add his name to the list of FIFA World Cup 2026 hat-trick scorers after producing a stunning display in England's 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff.
The Arsenal winger opened his account in the 37th minute before doubling England's advantage in first-half stoppage time (45+3'), helping Thomas Tuchel's side race into a commanding 4-0 lead at the interval.
France mounted an impressive comeback after the break, but Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, restoring England's cushion and becoming the fourth player to score a World Cup treble at the 2026 tournament.
His three-goal haul came in one of the highest-scoring matches in FIFA World Cup history, with England eventually prevailing 6-4 to secure the bronze medal and their best tournament finish since lifting the trophy in 1966.
Read More: The World Cup’s Strangest Modern Records: Netherlands’ Penalty Curse And Germany’s Knockout Drought
Most Hat-Tricks At A FIFA World Cup
Saka's achievement has elevated FIFA World Cup 2026 into rare company.
The 2026 edition now sits alongside the 1938, 1982 and 1986 tournaments as the joint second-most prolific World Cups for hat-tricks.
Only the legendary 1954 tournament in Switzerland, which astonishingly produced eight hat-tricks, has witnessed more.
| Hat-tricks | FIFA World Cup editions |
|---|---|
| Eight | 1954 |
| Four | 1938, 1982, 1986, 2026 |
| Three | 1930, 1934, 1958 |
| Two | 1950, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| One | 1962, 1998, 2010 |
Why Are We Seeing More Hat-Tricks?
Several factors have contributed to the increase in goalscoring performances.
The expanded 48-team format has created more matches than ever before, giving elite forwards additional opportunities to make their mark.
At the same time, many of the tournament's strongest nations have embraced aggressive attacking football rather than cautious defensive approaches.
The result has been one of the highest-scoring World Cups ever staged, with goals continuing to flow well beyond the group stage.
Golden Boot Race Over Before the Final?
While the battle for third place is complete, the race for the Golden Boot will be settled in Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
Kylian Mbappé's brace against England in France's 6-4 defeat took him to 10 goals, opening a two-goal lead over Lionel Messi. However, with Argentina still to play one more match, the race remains mathematically alive.
| Rank | Player | Nation | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 10 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 |
| =3 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 7 |
| =3 | Jude Bellingham | England | 7 |
| =5 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | 6 |
| =5 | Harry Kane | England | 6 |
Messi would need at least two goals in the final to draw level with Mbappé, with any tie then likely to be decided by FIFA's official tiebreakers. A hat-trick would see the Argentina captain overtake the Frenchman and claim another World Cup Golden Boot outright.
More History Could Still Be Written
World Cup hat-tricks have always occupied a unique place in football history.
They are rare, unforgettable and often become defining moments of an entire tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026 has already delivered four of them through Lionel Messi, Jonathan David, Ousmane Dembele and Bukayo Saka.
And with the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina still to come, another treble would move the 2026 edition clear of every tournament since 1954 and make it the outright second-most prolific FIFA World Cup for hat-tricks in history.
Whatever happens in the final, one thing is already certain.
FIFA World Cup 2026 has become one of the greatest showcases of attacking football the competition has ever seen.
