2026 World Cup: Hours after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari delivers fastest goal, Paraguay’s Matias Galarza sets new record
It only took a few hours for the 2026 World Cup fastest-goal record to be broken.
Morocco‘s Ismael Saibari delivered the quickest score of the tournament in the Atlas Lions’ win over Scotland earlier on Friday, but Paraguay’s Matias Galarza bested him by six seconds later the same day — netting a goal in the first 65 seconds against Türkiye.
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Galarza delivered a strike from just outside the box that Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir just couldn’t reach, and the torch was passed.
That was six seconds earlier in the match than Saibari’s strike in Morocco’s win over Scotland.
In Morocco’s win over Scotland, Saibari took a pass down the right side from Brahim Díaz and blasted a kick past Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn. The ball went into the net just 71 seconds after the match had kicked off.
Take a look at this absolute fireball from Saibari:
So Galarza now holds the record for the fastest goal scored at the 2026 World Cup, but where it ranks in history may surprise you.
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It’s not even in the top 10.
Thirteen different players have scored goals in the first 60 seconds of a World Cup match, per FIFA. They are listed below.
1. Hakan Sukur – 11 seconds in 2002
2. Vaclav Masek – 15 seconds in 1962
3. Ernest Lehner – 25 seconds in 1934
4. Bryan Robson – 28 seconds in 1982
5. Clint Dempsey – 30 seconds in 2014
6. Bernard Lacombe – 31 seconds in 1978
7. Arne Nyberg – 35 seconds in 1938
7. Emile Veinante – 35 seconds in 1938
9. Florian Albert – 50 seconds in 1962
9. Adalbert Desu – 50 seconds in 1930
9. Seung Zin Pak – 50 seconds in 1966
12. Celso Ayala – 52 seconds in 1998
13. Mathias Jorgensen – 55 seconds in 2018
Yes, that’s right. Hakan Sukur of Turkey scored a goal just 11 seconds into a match during the 2002 World Cup. You can watch it right here.
Considering how brief Saibari held onto the record, who knows how long Galarza’s new mark will stand.
