Messi, Dembele and more: All long-range goals at World Cup 2026

FIFA has released a compilation of all 43 goals scored from outside the penalty area at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing a tournament marked by spectacular long-range strikes. According to Jurgen Klinsmann, a member of FIFA's Technical Study Group and a World Cup winner in 1990, the quality of shooting was exceptional. "The quality of the shots was great in this tournament," Klinsmann said. "It's something fun for us coaches to watch – we saw some beautiful goals that way. They delivered rockets from outside the box, really."

Trends and Statistics

Data collected by the Technical Study Group revealed that while the proportion of shots from outside the 18-yard box remained nearly unchanged from the 2022 World Cup, the conversion rate doubled from 8% to 16%. Klinsmann attributed this to defensive tactics: "There has been a little bit of a defensive attitude from quite a lot of coaches with a lower block to defend. There have been more goals happening from shots from distance, 20-22 yards outside the box through a lot of people, which makes it very difficult for goalkeepers."

Memorable Long-Range Goals

Hans Vanaken (Belgium vs. USA, Round of 16)
In the Round of 16, Belgium's Hans Vanaken capitalized on a goalkeeping error by Matt Freese, scoring from 35 yards to put the Red Devils 3-1 up. Belgium eventually eased past the USA to advance.

Anthony Elanga (Sweden vs. ? , Group Stage)
On the final matchday of the group phase, Sweden needed at least a point to secure a knockout spot as one of the best third-placed teams. Trailing 1-0 with an hour gone, Anthony Elanga received a pass from Viktor Gyokeres, cut inside from the right channel to the corner of the 18-yard box, and curled an unstoppable equalizer to send Sweden through.

Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde vs. Uruguay, Group Stage)
World Cup debutants Cabo Verde held eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opener but waited until their second match against Uruguay for their first World Cup goal. In the 21st minute, Kevin Pina hammered a direct free-kick from more than 30 yards low into the bottom right corner, sparking wild celebrations.

Lionel Messi (Argentina vs. Algeria and Jordan, Group Stage)
Brazilian legend Rivellino previously held the record for most goals from outside the penalty area at World Cup finals with five. Lionel Messi equaled that record on the first matchday with a long-range effort to give Argentina a 1-0 lead against Algeria. He then broke the record in the third group match, bending a clever free-kick around Jordan's wall.

Wilson Isidor (Haiti vs. Morocco, Group Stage)
Haiti, having lost their first two games without scoring, faced Morocco in their final group match. An early own goal by Yassine Bounou broke the drought, but Wilson Isidor provided the highlight just before halftime. After receiving a pass from Jean-Kevin Duverne, he controlled the ball just outside the area and thundered an unstoppable 75 mph shot into the top-left corner.

Ousmane Dembele (France vs. Morocco, Quarter-Final)
In the quarter-final against Morocco, France struggled until Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock. Minutes later, Ousmane Dembele dribbled to the edge of the area and placed a low shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.