Kansas City (AFP) – The group stages of the first 48-team World Cup ended in a flurry of goals -- a fitting conclusion to an eye-catching first round.
Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 18:32
4 min Reading time
The opening phase of the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States witnessed a record 215 goals, at a higher rate per match -- 2.99 -- than any World Cup since the 1950s.AFP Sport looks at what is behind the staggering numbers.Golden Boot raceThe race for the Golden Boot is often a sideshow, but this time it is anything but.
France forward Kylian Mbappe is hot on Lionel Messi's heels in the race for the Golden Boot at the World Cup © Justin Setterfield / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
