2026 World Cup Sets New Record for Most Own Goals Scored

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany scored two own goals in the tournament.

Yahoo Sports - Cape Verde's Diney Borges scored an own goal during a match against Argentina.

Yahoo Sports - Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal in the U.S. men's national team's match.

Yahoo Sports - Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess scored an own goal against the U.S. men's national team.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - The 2026 World Cup has seen a total of 14 own goals, surpassing the previous record of 12 set at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Yahoo Sports - The 2026 World Cup is officially the highest-scoring edition for own goals in competition history, with 16 matches still remaining.

Yahoo Sports - Hany's own goal during Egypt's knockout victory over Australia was the record-breaking 14th own goal of the tournament.

Yahoo Sports - The 1998 World Cup had only five own goals recorded throughout the tournament.

beIN SPORTS - The 2026 FIFA World Cup reached 14 own goals, surpassing the previous record of 12 set at the 2018 World Cup.

Yahoo Sports - The 2026 World Cup became the highest-scoring edition for own goals in competition history.

Yahoo Sports - Hany became the first player officially credited with scoring two own goals at the same tournament.

Yahoo Sports - Twelve of the own goals occurred during the group stage of the tournament.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - The own goal by Hany occurred during Egypt's match against Australia.

Yahoo Sports - The own goal by Borges occurred during Argentina's match against Cape Verde.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - The record was broken during Egypt's knockout victory over Australia.

Yahoo Sports - Hany scored an own goal in Egypt's earlier meeting with Belgium.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - The increase in own goals is attributed to the expanded 48-team field, leading to more matches and unusual occurrences.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The increase in own goals is attributed to the expanded 48-team field, leading to more matches and unusual occurrences, particularly involving underdog teams.

Yahoo Sports - Most own goals were scored by underdog teams trying to defend against high-intensity attacking teams off set pieces or breakaways.

The 2026 World Cup has officially set a new record for own goals, with a total of 14, surpassing the previous high of 12 from the 2018 tournament in Russia. This edition is now the highest-scoring for own goals in competition history, with 16 matches still left to play, and Hany's own goal during Egypt's knockout victory over Australia marked the record-breaking moment. The surge in own goals is largely attributed to the expanded 48-team format, which has resulted in more matches and unexpected events, particularly involving underdog teams.