Lionel Messi and Jonathan David have both scored hat tricks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1, 2].
These performances place both forwards at the top of the tournament's Golden Boot race. Their ability to secure three goals in a single match provides a significant early advantage in the competition for the top goalscorer award [2].
Messi recorded three goals in a single World Cup match [1]. The performance marks a historic milestone for the Argentine veteran, who said he was emotional following the achievement [1].
Jonathan David also scored three goals in a single match [2]. David joins Messi as one of the few offensive threats to dominate a game so decisively in the early stages of the tournament [2, 3].
According to current tournament data, these two athletes are the only players to have recorded hat tricks so far in the 2026 event [2]. While other strikers have found the net, the efficiency of Messi and David has set a high benchmark for the rest of the field.
The Golden Boot race typically intensifies as the tournament progresses into the knockout stages. However, starting with three goals from a single appearance puts these two players in a commanding position, a rarity in the modern era of the World Cup.
Both players have demonstrated that they can change the outcome of a game single-handedly [2]. As the group stages continue, the global football community will watch to see if either player can maintain this scoring pace through the final.
“Lionel Messi and Jonathan David are the only players to score three goals in a single match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The emergence of two hat-trick scorers early in the tournament suggests a high-scoring offensive trend for the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, this reinforces his enduring elite status, while for David, it establishes him as a primary global contender for the Golden Boot, shifting the spotlight toward Canada's offensive capabilities on the world stage.
