Scoring a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup is one of football’s greatest individual achievements. Since the inaugural tournament in 1930, only a relatively small number of players have managed to score three or more goals in a single World Cup match.
From legendary names like Pelé and Gerd Müller to modern stars such as Kylian Mbappé, World Cup hat-tricks have produced some of the tournament’s most unforgettable moments.
In this guide, you’ll find the complete FIFA World Cup hat-tricks list, interesting records, and the greatest hat-trick performances in World Cup history.
What Is a Hat-Trick in Football?
A hat-trick occurs when a player scores three goals in one match.
If a player scores four or five goals, it is still counted as a hat-trick, although the total goal tally is recorded separately.
FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks List
| Year | Player | Country | Opponent | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Bert Patenaude | USA | Paraguay | 3 |
| 1934 | Edmund Conen | Germany | Belgium | 3 |
| 1934 | Angelo Schiavio | Italy | USA | 3 |
| 1938 | Leônidas | Brazil | Poland | 3 |
| 1954 | Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | South Korea | 3 |
| 1954 | Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | West Germany | 4 |
| 1954 | Max Morlock | West Germany | Turkey | 3 |
| 1958 | Just Fontaine | France | Paraguay | 3 |
| 1958 | Just Fontaine | France | West Germany | 4 |
| 1966 | Eusébio | Portugal | North Korea | 4 |
| 1970 | Gerd Müller | West Germany | Bulgaria | 3 |
| 1970 | Gerd Müller | West Germany | Peru | 3 |
| 1978 | Rob Rensenbrink | Netherlands | Iran | 3 |
| 1982 | Paolo Rossi | Italy | Brazil | 3 |
| 1986 | Gary Lineker | England | Poland | 3 |
| 1994 | Oleg Salenko | Russia | Cameroon | 5 |
| 1998 | Gabriel Batistuta | Argentina | Jamaica | 3 |
| 2002 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | Saudi Arabia | 3 |
| 2006 | Pauleta | Portugal | Poland | 3 |
| 2014 | Thomas Müller | Germany | Portugal | 3 |
| 2018 | Harry Kane | England | Panama | 3 |
| 2022 | Gonçalo Ramos | Portugal | Switzerland | 3 |
| 2022 | Kylian Mbappé | France | Argentina (Final) | 3 |
Most Famous FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks
Kylian Mbappé (2022 Final)
Mbappé became the first player since 1966 to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup Final. Despite his incredible performance, France lost to Argentina on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Oleg Salenko (1994)
The Russian striker holds the record for the most goals in a single World Cup match, scoring five goals against Cameroon.
Just Fontaine (1958)
Fontaine scored 13 goals during the 1958 World Cup, including two hat-trick performances. His tournament record still stands today.
Gerd Müller (1970)
The German striker scored two hat-tricks in one tournament and finished among the greatest World Cup goalscorers in history.
Players with Multiple World Cup Hat-Tricks
Only a few footballers have achieved multiple World Cup hat-tricks.
- Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 2
- Just Fontaine (France) – 2
- Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 2
Fastest World Cup Hat-Trick
One of the quickest World Cup hat-tricks belongs to László Kiss (Hungary), who scored three goals as a substitute against El Salvador in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Most Goals in One World Cup Match
| Player | Goals | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Oleg Salenko | 5 | 1994 |
| Sándor Kocsis | 4 | 1954 |
| Just Fontaine | 4 | 1958 |
| Eusébio | 4 | 1966 |
Interesting Facts About FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks
- Bert Patenaude scored the first official FIFA World Cup hat-trick in 1930.
- Oleg Salenko is the only player to score five goals in a single World Cup match.
- Kylian Mbappé is the first player to score a World Cup Final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966.
- Only a small number of players have recorded more than one World Cup hat-trick.
- Hat-tricks are rare because World Cup matches feature the world’s strongest national teams.
FAQs
Who scored the first FIFA World Cup hat-trick?
Bert Patenaude of the United States scored the first officially recognized World Cup hat-trick against Paraguay in 1930.
Who scored the most goals in one World Cup match?
Oleg Salenko scored five goals for Russia against Cameroon in 1994, setting the World Cup record.
Has anyone scored a hat-trick in a World Cup Final?
Yes. Geoff Hurst (1966) and Kylian Mbappé (2022) both scored hat-tricks in a FIFA World Cup Final.
Which player has the most World Cup hat-tricks?
Sándor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, and Gerd Müller each recorded two World Cup hat-tricks.
Conclusion
Hat-tricks are among the rarest and most celebrated achievements in FIFA World Cup history. From Bert Patenaude’s historic first hat-trick in 1930 to Kylian Mbappé’s unforgettable performance in the 2022 final, these remarkable displays have become part of football folklore. As future World Cups unfold, fans will be watching to see which player becomes the next to join this exclusive list.
