ALL TIME WORLD CUP STATS

Who Has the Biggest Impact in the World Cup?

Kylian Mbappé is clearly the most impactful World Cup performer among the three. He has scored 12 goals in World Cup tournaments, including decisive performances in knockout matches and finals. His ability to consistently deliver goals on football’s biggest stage places him among the standout World Cup players of the modern era.

Vinícius Júnior has had a limited but respectable World Cup impact so far. In 4 World Cup appearances, he has recorded 1 goal and 2 assists, contributing directly to Brazil’s attack within a strong team setup. While this output does not yet match his club-level influence, it represents a solid return at an early stage of his international tournament career, with clear scope for greater impact in future editions.

Erling Haaland has yet to score at a World Cup, as Norway struggled to qualify in previous cycles. However, his impact in World Cup qualification has been outstanding. He has scored 21 goals in 14 qualifying matches, demonstrating elite efficiency even without a dominant team around him. With Norway now qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Haaland enters the tournament with the scoring profile to immediately compete among the top scorers.

Overall, the data highlights clear differences in World Cup impact among the three players. Kylian Mbappé has already established himself as a proven performer on the biggest stage, delivering decisive goals at multiple World Cups. Erling Haaland, while yet to feature at the finals, has shown outstanding scoring efficiency in qualification and now enters the 2026 World Cup with strong potential to make an immediate impact. Vinícius Júnior has made a solid start to his World Cup career, and while his numbers are currently lower, his age and role suggest room for significant growth in future tournaments.