Lionel Messi set nine new FIFA World Cup records during Argentina's recent victory against Cape Verde, surpassing the achievements of both Pelé and Kylian Mbappé. This performance further cements Messi's legacy in football history.

As the Round of 16 begins in the World Cup, Lionel Messi has increased his goal tally to seven after scoring in Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32, according to Vanguard Sports. The leading scorers of the tournament have been revealed as the competition progresses.

As of June 24, 2026, Lionel Messi is leading the race for the Golden Boot in the World Cup with five goals, while Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are closely following with four goals each, raising questions about whether this could be the best Golden Boot contest ever, according to Al Jazeera.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is underway, with several teams advancing to the round of 32 while others have been eliminated. This tournament marks the first expansion to 48 teams, accompanied by a new qualification system that allows more nations, including some third-placed teams, to progress to the knockout rounds, according to The Kenya Times.

South Africa achieved a historic milestone by reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time, following a 1-0 victory against South Korea. Additionally, Brazil, Mexico, and Switzerland topped their respective groups in the tournament, according to Naija News.

Since the inception of the FIFA World Cup, no African nation has won the tournament, despite the continent producing numerous talented footballers such as JayJay Okocha, George Weah, and Mohamed Salah. The article explores the factors that could contribute to an African country's success in achieving this prestigious title.