Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup rewrite history? Legendary Miroslav Klose anticipates his goal-scoring record to fall

"I expect my record to be broken at this tournament. With more participating teams, there will be more matches played, and thus more opportunities to score goals," Klose stated in an interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The 2014 World Cup winner is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. Among active players, Argentina's Lionel Messi with 13 goals and France's Kylian Mbappe with 12 goals are closest to his record.

Klose emphasized that he is at peace with his record being surpassed. "My record would have to be broken eventually anyway. If Messi manages it now, I wouldn't mind at all," the former striker said, according to DPA.

Klose, 47, who currently manages German second-tier club 1. FC Nürnberg, scored in the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups. He set the record at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His historic 16th goal came in the semi-final match against the host nation, where Germany secured a dominant 7-1 victory, surpassing the previous record held by Brazil's Ronaldo (15).