Messi, Ronaldo Target 1 of 5 World Cup Records That Could Be Broken in Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022

Messi, Ronaldo Target 1 of 5 World Cup Records That Could Be Broken in Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
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  • Lionel Messi and Cristiano stand a chance to break some records and set milestones at the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off in Qatar
  • France, who won the last edition in 2018, will be seeking to defend their trophy but will first seek to get out of the group stages
  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take centre stage in Qatar and is scheduled from November 20 to December 18, featuring 32 countries around the world

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is almost here and on November 20, 32 countries will compete for the most coveted trophy in all of sports with all eyes on Qatar.

Football’s biggest stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Neymar will be on display for their various nations, as everyone tries to overthrow France as defending champions.

Qatar 2022, FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, France
Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is slated for kick-off on November 20. Photo by Karim Jaafar.
Source: Getty Images

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will provide several players and national teams with an opportunity to set new tournament records.

And here at Sports Brief, we will take a look at 5 of the records which could be broken in Qatar 2022 when the World Cup begins this November.

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1. Cristiano Ronaldo could be first player to score at five World Cups

Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo will seek to go into the record books as the first man to score in 5 separate FIFA World Cups, if he finds the net in Qatar, FIFA reports.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Qatar
Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the record for the most goals scored in international football. Photo by Soccrates Images.
Source: Getty Images

The Manchester forward has scored goals at four separate World Cups, a feat also achieved by Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose.

Ronaldo scored in Germany (2006), South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018).

2. France to end defending champions group stage voodoo

France will be hoping to become the first defending champion in the last three editions of the World Cup to progress to the knockout stages in Qatar.

France, Kylian Mbappe, Germany, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
France are the current champions of the World Cup after winning the trophy for the second time in their history in 2018. Photo by NurPhoto.
Source: Getty Images

Previous defending champions have failed to progress out of their groups in subsequent World Cups, and Didier Deschamps will be hoping that will not be the case for his team.

At the last three tournaments, the defending champions have gone out in the group phase: Italy at South Africa 2010, Spain at Brazil 2014, and Germany at Russia 2018.

3. Didier Deschamps targets 10th World Cup win as manager

France manager, Didier Deschamps has coached France in 12 world final matches, more than any other coach among the 29 that have already qualified for Qatar 2022.

Didier Deschamps, France, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar, Argentina, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Didier Deschamps wants to join the elite list of managers who have won at least 10 games at the FIFA World Cup. Photo by Catherine Steenkeste.
Source: Getty Images

One more win in Qatar 2022 will see him join the likes of Helmut Schon, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Mario Zagallo, Joachim Low, Carlos Alberto Parreira and Oscar Tabarez as the only managers to win 10 matches at the World Cup.

4. Messi to overtake Diego Maradona in World Cup appearances

Lionel Messi is set to overtake Argentina legend, Diego Maradona’s World Cup appearances for the South American nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

France, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar, Argentina, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi will surpass Diego Maradona's total appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup if he plays 3 games for Argentina. Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce.
Source: Getty Images

Maradona’s World Cup appearances for Argentina currently stands at 21. If Messi - who now has 19 World Cup caps - plays two games for Albiceleste in Qatar, the PSG forward will overtake the football icon.

If Messi and Argentina reach the final at Qatar 2022 and he plays in all seven matches, he will join Lothar Matthaus on a tournament-record 26 appearances.

5. Germany and Brazil target most matches played in World Cup

Brazil and Germany have both played a tournament-high 109 matches at the FIFA World Cup, a record one of them could take outright at Qatar 2022, MSC Football reports.

France, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar, Argentina, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Brazil and Germany are tied on the same number of games heading into Qatar 2022. Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Alex Grimm.
Source: Getty Images

The team that goes the furthest in Qatar between both countries will break that record.

Players who could miss 2022 FIFA World Cup

Earlier, Sports Brief reported a number of Premier League stars are facing the prospect of missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after picking up injuries in the ongoing season.

The global football showpiece is scheduled to kick off in mid-November, resulting in a league football break.

With the tournament only a few days away, several Premier League players are currently out injured and now face a race against time to be fit for the competition.

Authors
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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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